After a sweet-shooting first-half gave them a 37-33 half-time lead, it seemed like Lehigh’s magical NCAA Tournament run would put the Patriot League team into the Sweet 16.
2012 NCAA Bracket, Xavier Vs. Lehigh Final: Xavier Wins 70-58
However, in the second half, Xavier’s front-line was just too big for Lehigh’s undersized big men, as the Muskeeters prevailed 70-58.
Kenny Frease, at 7'0 275, had 25 points and 12 rebounds on 11-13 shooting while 6'8 225 Andre Walker and 6'10 225 Jeff Robinson combined for 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The Mountain Hawks, meanwhile, never recovered from star guard C.J. McCollum picking up his second foul in the first half, as he finished with only 14 points on 5-22 shooting.
Xavier was able to overcome a first-half ankle injury suffered by their star freshman Dezmine Wells as their experienced back-court of Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons were able to outplay Lehigh's guards to close out the game.
They move on to face Baylor in the Sweet 16.
For up-to-the-minute scores on all NCAA Tournament games, please check out SI.com’s complete scoreboard.
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation’s NCAA Tournament hub. There you’ll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.
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