Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Jordan Crawford finished with 28 points, as Xavier overcame a poor-shooting first half to beat Minnesota, 65-54, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament: Jordan Crawford’s 28 Points Help Xavier Drop Minnesota,
Crawford sank five three-pointers and shot 11-of-21 overall for the Musketeers (25-8), who are seeded sixth in the West Region and will next face either third-seeded Pittsburgh or No. 14 seed Oakland.
Jamel McLean added 14 rebounds and seven points for Xavier, which is in the tourney for the fifth consecutive year and advanced to the second round for the fourth straight season.
Friday’s victory was also Xavier’s first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Chris Mack, who took over for Sean Miller last April.
Lawrence Westbrook had 19 points to pace the 11th-seeded Golden Gophers (21-14), who were making their second consecutive tourney appearance, but also exited in the first round for the second straight time.
Xavier shot just over 21 percent in the first half, but stayed in the game thanks to 15 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points. Crawford then took over in the second half, when he had 17 points.
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