Trevon Bluiett nails game-winner in Xavier's 22-point comeback over East Tennessee State
Let’s be clear: Xavier had no right to beat East Tennessee State.
Yes, we’re talking about No. 10 Xavier. At home. Against a Southern Conference team.
The Musketeers were down 22 points to ETSU with 14 minutes left in the second half before pulling off a 68-66 victory at the Cintas Center. Right around that point Xavier was shooting just barely over 30 percent from the field, including 5-for-21 from three-point range.
You’re not supposed to come back from that. You’re also not supposed to be able to hit the type of shot Trevon Bluiett did to win the game for the Musketeers.
Who else would you want taking that shot?! pic.twitter.com/Zhqwy1mdsP
— Xavier Gameday (@XavierGameday) December 16, 2017
There are four defenders all within arms reach surrounding Bluiett. So, naturally, the senior guard just popped a shot from the elbow right over all of them. There was not much else the Buccaneers could’ve done in that position without fouling.
Bluiett’s shot put Xavier in the lead for good with six seconds left in the game and three fouls to give. After fouling ETSU twice on the inbounds play following Bluiett’s go-ahead bucket, the Buccaneers had just two seconds left on the clock for a desperation 3-pointer. The shot went way off and Xavier somehow escaped with a win. Bluiett finished the day with 18 points, including 13 in the second half as head coach Chris Mack used just eight players all game.
East Tennessee was led by Desonta Bradford’s 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
