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MBB Minute – Xavier Comeback Highlights Four-Game Saturday

A remarkable second-half comeback by Xavier was the headline grabber on a Saturday when Villanova, Butler and Connecticut also earned victories.
 
No. 21 Xavier was outshot by Creighton 51.7 percent to 22.9 percent in the first half and trailed 36-17 at the break. But the Musketeers exploded by scoring 29 of the first 31 points in the second half and pulled away for a 74-64 win at CHI Health Center. Xavier (15-5, 5-4 BIG EAST) outshot the Bluejays (12-7, 4-4 BE) in the second half 65.5 percent to 29.6 percent. Paul Scruggs led the Musketeers with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and no turnovers.  Zach Freemantle and Jank Nunge each had 16 points and eight rebounds. Nunge scored all of his points in the second half.
 
No. 14 Villanova used a 19-2 run late in the first half to take a 40-26 halftime lead and provide enough cushion to defeat St. John’s 73-62 at Finneran Pavilion. Collin Gillespie scored a game-high 17 points. Caleb Daniels and Eric Dixon added 15 points apiece. St. John’s (11-8, 3-5 BE) was led by Montez Mathis’ 14 points. The Wildcats (16-5, 9-2 BE) have won nine of their last 10 games.  
 
Butler won its second straight game, taking a 56-53 decision against Georgetown at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs (11-10, 4-6 BE) led by 12 early in the second half before the Hoyas (6-12, 0-7 BE) came back to lead 53-52 on a layup by Aminu Mohammed with 1:24 left. But the Bulldogs scored the final four points of the game. Freshman Simas Lukosius scored a team-high 13 points. Bryce Nze and Aaron Thompson each added 12 points, Nze also had 12 rebounds. Mohammed finished with 16 points and six boards.
 
No. 20 UConn posted its fifth win a row with a 57-50 victory at DePaul. The Huskies (15-4, 6-2 BE) trailed 29-28 at halftime, but held the Blue Demons (10-10, 1-9 BE) to 20 percent shooting in the second half. R.J. Cole scored a game-high 25 points. DePaul got 18 points from Javan Johnson. Javan Freeman-Liberty missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury.
 
Because of the severe weather in the Northeast, the Marquette at Providence game was moved to Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on FS1. No. 17 Providence is in first place in league play with a 7-1 record. No. 22 Marquette has won seven in a row and is 7-3.