Naji Marshall had 21 points in a 75-74 double OT win versus UConn.
MBB Minute -- Xavier Tips UConn in Double OT on 4-1 Friday
BIG EAST teams compiled a 4-1 record on Friday to push the overall conference record to 40-8 (.833).
Xavier and Connecticut may have staged a wild preview for what their future BIG EAST rivalry will be when the undefeated Musketeers (6-0) edged the Huskies 75-74 in double overtime in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic. Xavier won the game despite starters Naji Marshall (21 points), Paul Scruggs (19 points) and Quentin Goodin fouling out. The 18th-ranked Musketeers will play Florida in the championship game on Sunday evening.
Georgetown and No. 1 Duke also put on a spirited battle, competing in the 2K Empire Classic final at Madison Square Garden. Duke held on for an 81-73 win. Omer Yurtseven, who was burdened with early foul trouble, scored all of his team-high 21 points in the second half. James Akinjo added 19 points, six assists and four steals.
Villanova advanced to the title game of the Myrtle Beach Classic with an 83-76 win against Mississippi State. The No. 17 Wildcats (4-1) used a 16-0 run in the first half to establish an advantage, then held off the Bulldogs. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl posted 22 points and seven rebounds. Collin Gillespie finished with 18 points and nine assists. Villanova goes for its seventh straight November tournament crown against No. 24 Baylor on Sunday.
Butler and Creighton picked up wins at home. The Bulldogs (5-0) pulled away in the second half in a 68-50 victory over Morehead State. Butler took advantage of an 11-1 run early in the second half. Kamar Baldwin led the home team with 17 points and eight rebounds. Bryce Nze contributed 16 points and six boards.
The Bluejays (3-1) gained an early 18-5 lead and did not face a serious challenge in an 86-70 victory over Cal-Poly. All five starters reached double figures with Marcus Zegarowski netting 18 points and dealing six assists. Damien Jefferson and Mitch Ballock each added 17 points.
Saturday’s five-game schedule includes one in-season tournament contest and four “single” games.
St. John’s meets Arizona State in the Hall of Fame Classic in Uncasville, Ct., at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3. DePaul puts its undefeated mark (5-0) on the line at Boston College at noon on the ACC Network. FS2 has a tripleheader -- Florida A&M at Seton Hall at noon, Robert Morris at Marquette at 2 p.m. and Pennsylvania at Providence at 4 p.m.