SWEET MUSKETEERS!

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Sixth Seeded Xavier Musketeers were playing the Third Seeded Pittsburgh Panthers in the Second Round of the West Region.  Xavier and Pitt played last year in a Sweet 16 game, as Pitt won in the final minute, 60-55.  The Musketeers were looking for revenge, and a ticket to go to Salt Lake City to play in the Sweet 16.  Xavier ended up winning in a close game, 71-68 and the Muskies are on their way to the Sweet 16, while Pitt goes back to the Steel City.

This is Xavier's third strait apperence in the Sweet 16, and now they will be looking to go into the Elite 8, the farthest they have ever gone, also the farthest an A-10 team has ever gone.

It was a close game the whole time, but midway through the second period, Xavier started making plays and got some breathing room, and they were able to hold on to their leads and end up winning.  Pitt had the chance to tie it with little time left, but the try for the overtime-forcing three was no good and Xavier won.

Jordan Crawford lead XU with 27 points and was 9-of-15 from the field. 

Next, Xavier will have a rematch with the Second Seeded Kansas State Wildcats.  Earlier this season, KSU beat XU 71-56.   The game will be Thursday at 9:37 PM ET and will be televised on CBS.

GO MUSKIES!