Xavier’s first-round victory over Kennesaw State on Friday during the NCAA Tournament It was not easy.
During 72-67 of the Musketeers win from behindtwo of Xavier’s teammates engaged in a shouting match while getting up off the ground during a timeout.
Guards Souley Boum and Adam Kunkel appeared to yell at each other on the court before the coaches had to step between the two near the dugout.
XAVIER STAGES A FURIOUS RALLY TO BEAT KENNESAW STATE IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE OWLS NCAA TOURNAMENT
After the match, Boum told reporters that two teammates formed after the victory.
«Yeah, we fought. I love that guy. We love each other,» he said. «This is March Madness. This is everything we work for. It’s the heat of the moment.
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«We have to be sharp. We have to be on point with things, and if we get a little excited, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that we want to win. We want to win and we want to move forward.» Him and me, no hard feelings. We hugged in the locker room and we’re fine.»
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Boum finished the day with 17 points and five rebounds, while Kunkel chipped in eight points, six assists and four rebounds.
Xavier was almost another victim this year already NCAA Tournament Wildfalling 61-48 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
But the Kennesaw State froze, allowing Xavier to the storm again on a 15-0 run and take a 62-61 lead with less than five minutes to go.
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«I thought the whole game we had a couple of shots that we normally take,» Xavier’s head coach Sean Miller said of the 15-0 run. «We didn’t, but I thought we converted off of individual plays, off of transition opportunities, maybe a couple of set plays. I thought we got a couple of good looks and knocked them down.»
«At the end of the day, the set play can create a shot. The offense can create a shot, but, you know, these guys have to be able to do it, and they did.»
The Musketeers will play the 11-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday in Round 2.