The 2018-2019 Saint Xavier Cougars men’s basketball team got off to a pretty bad start last week, but they seemed to have turned things around after a strong second week.
SXU started off the week by traveling to Huntington, Indiana to play the Huntington Foresters.
The Cougars started the game by jumping out to a 10-4 lead just four minutes into the game. However, the Foresters were able to mount a comeback and tie the game with six minutes to go in the first half.
Both teams played it close, but the Cougars were able to sink a three pointer to put them up 36-33 to close the first half. They started the second half with a 14-3 run that put them on top. SXU never looked back and won the game 83-80.
The Cougars improved to 1-2 on the year with the victory.
The Cougars then travelled to Palos Heights, Illinois to compete in the Trinity Christian Troll Classic. Saint Xavier’s first game of the tournament was against the Grand View Vikings. Grand View got off to a start, opening the game with a 12-4 run. However, the Cougars stormed back and tied the game back with twelve minutes to spare.
Both teams traded the lead until the first half came to a close with the Cougars up 36-35.
The second half started with both teams trading leads until the Vikings stormed out to a 59-47 lead with eleven minutes left in the game. The Cougars were able to storm back and take the lead with five minutes left.
Both teams traded the lead until SXU point guard Josh Niego scored a three pointer to put the Cougars up 77-76 with thirty-eight seconds left.
Vikings center Kory Kuenstling shot the ball with a few seconds remaining and missed, but was fouled and was given two free throws with no time left.
Kuenstling sunk both free throws, giving the Vikings the victory by a score of 78-77.
SXU wrapped up the Trinity Christian Classic by playing the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils. The Blue Devils got out to a 16-7 lead, but the Cougars were able to tie the game up at 21 shortly thereafter.
They stormed out to a 35-27 lead and never relinquished it for the rest of the first half. The Cougars entered halftime with a 45-39 lead.
The second half started with the Cougars jumping out to a 54-44 lead.
The Blue Devils were able to trim the lead to 65-60, but SXU was able to keep their lead for the remainder of the game and eventually won 89-73. The team finished this week with a 2-3 record; the team earned their two wins this week, while only adding one loss.
The Cougars play twice next week, once on Wednesday against Holy Cross and once on Saturday against Calumet College.
This was a much-needed good week for the Cougars and hopefully they replicate their success for next week.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor