Xavier, the No. 11 seed in the West region, needed a few break to go its way in order to stay with top-seeded Gonzaga in the first half of the Elite Eight matchup from San Jose on Saturday evening.
Just before halftime, the Musketeers got the ball to bounce their way. Literally. Gonzaga’s Johnathan Williams and Xavier’s RaShid Gaston battled for a rebound. Williams inadvertently spiked the ball off the basket, off himself and off the backboard for a two-board bucket for Xavier.
OFF THE FLOOR AND IN! #Elite8 pic.twitter.com/3hXUWUI6P1
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2017
The bucket was awarded to Gaston. It was two of Gaston’s five first half points.
Less than 30 seconds later, J.P. Macura tried to top Gaston’s unlikely field goal with a bank shot of his own. Following a bucket from Nigel Williams-Goss, Macura heaved a three-quarters court at the buzzer. However, after reviewing the play, it was waved off.
This didn't count but WOW! #Elite8 pic.twitter.com/YyL7pvIM0U
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2017
The Zags led 49-39 entering halftime.