"Bearcats' Late Rally Secures Crosstown Shootout Victory"
Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout: A Battle to Remember
In this highly anticipated Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout, both teams put up a fierce fight. With 10 lead changes and a last-minute drama, it was a game that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. The Bearcats, down seven points with 7:46 remaining, fought back to give their coach Wes Miller his first Crosstown Shootout victory. This win not only boosted their morale but also solidified their position in the college basketball scene.
It was a sellout crowd at Fifth Third Arena, with 12,513 fans filling the stadium. The electric atmosphere added to the excitement of the game, and the players responded with exceptional performances. UC's Simas Lukošius overcame early shooting woes to lead the team with 14 points. Aziz Bandaogo added 12 points, and Dillon Mitchell had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Dan Skillings Jr. returned to the starting lineup and scored 10 crucial points.
Xavier's Zach Freemantle: The High Scorer
Xavier's Zach Freemantle was the leading scorer with 18 points, 16 of which came in the first half. His open three-point look in the final minutes failed, giving UC the opportunity to come from behind and secure the win. Ryan Conwell had 17 points and Dailyn Swain 13 for the Musketeers. However, Xavier's 14 turnovers proved to be their downfall as it was too many to win the game.
Long time between Shootout wins, and this victory was all the more sweet for the Bearcats. It had been 2,198 days since Mick Cronin's 'Cats last won this series. In that time, there were many changes in the coaching staffs and other events in the sports world. But the Bearcats finally emerged victorious and showed their resilience.
Shooting Woes and Comebacks
Xavier took the 31-30 halftime lead on Freemantle's buzzer 3-pointer. The Bearcats led for more than 13 minutes in the first half but struggled to score in the final minutes. They had shooting woes, with Jizzle James missing all 11 of his field goal attempts but sinking crucial free throws in the final seconds. Lukošius also faced early shooting difficulties but came back strong with a 3-pointer with 5:50 to go, cutting UC's deficit to a basket.
Neither team lit it up from the arc on Saturday. Xavier made 15 three-pointers in 2017 but lost. UC was just 5-for-20 on triples with Xavier at 6-for-19. But in the end, it was the Bearcats' ability to fight and make crucial plays that led them to victory.
Board Battles and Fan Support
Xavier had the advantage on the glass at halftime, leading 22-18. But at the end of the game, they had a one-point edge, 37-36. Dillon Mitchell led the Bearcats with 10 rebounds and showed his importance on the boards. The fans at Fifth Third Arena were a major factor in the game, creating an electric atmosphere that pushed the players to a whole new level.
Dan Skillings Jr. returned to the starting lineup and brought some old skills to the game. His slam with 2:20 left and his free throw and offensive rebound with 22 seconds left were crucial moments in the game. Xavier's Sean Miller insinuated that Skillings left the line early, but Skillings made no argument and was proud of his performance.
Notable 4-star Visitors
Before the game, UC hosted a pair of four-star recruits on the floor. Chris Washington Jr. and Jayden Johnson are both from the prep class of 2026 and are being pursued by many schools. This shows the growing interest in UC basketball and the potential for future success.
Next Games on the Horizon
UC is off until next Friday when they play the neutral-site game with the Dayton Flyers at Heritage Bank Center. Tickets for the Simple Truth Hoops Classic presented by CareSource are available for the 8:30 p.m. tip. The Bearcats bring four starters back from last year's lineup with Dayton returning three. Dayton won the game 82-68 last season.
Xavier goes to Hartford Wednesday to face defending national champion Connecticut in the XL Center at 7 p.m. in their first Big East game. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances and continue their success in the upcoming games.