Duncan, Xavier Survive Another Scare

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CHARLOTTE — Josh Duncan scored 25 points, including the clinching 3-pointer with 15.9 seconds left, and No. 12 Xavier survived its third straight close call in beating Charlotte 62-60 on Wednesday night.

Overcoming foul trouble and 31 points from Charlotte's Leemire Goldwire, the Musketeers (21-4, 9-1 Atlantic 10) got their seventh straight win behind Duncan's career high-matching performance and clutch shot.

With the shot clock winding down, Duncan drilled a 3 from the top of the key to put the Musketeers ahead 62-58. After Goldwire's hoop with .7 seconds left, Goldwire stole the inbounds pass near midcourt, but his desperation shot didn't hit iron.

Xavier kept its two-game lead in the conference despite 23 turnovers and foul trouble that plagued top defender Stanley Burrell. The Musketeers also needed big plays in the final minute to beat Saint Louis and Saint Joseph's last week.

Goldwire was 7-of-15 from 3-point range and added eight rebounds in his conference-leading fifth game of 30 or more points for the 49ers (14-9, 5-4). The rest of the team shot a combined 9-for-38.

A physical game full of fouls, contested shots and turnovers, the Musketeers turned to a zone defense to snap a tie midway through the second half. Charlotte missed nine straight shots in Xavier's 7-0 run that made it 57-50 with 5:20 left.

Then the Musketeers' biggest problem of the night — turnovers — let Charlotte back in it. The Musketeers threw it away three times and had a shot blocked on four straight possessions.

Charles Dewhurst's two free throws with 2:10 left tied it at 58.

The 49ers thought they had taken the lead on Goldwire's driving layup with 1:30 left. Two officials blew their whistles, and after a two-second delay where both officials stared at each other, an offensive foul was called.

C.J. Anderson then made one of two free throws with 1:02 left to put Xavier ahead.

After Phil Jones missed a shot in the lane, Duncan drilled his fifth 3 in as many attempts.

Duncan finished 7-of-7 from the field and added eight rebounds. Derrick Brown added 11 points.

Goldwire, who was coming off a 39-point performance in a win over St. Bonaventure on Saturday, matched up against Burrell, one of the league's top defenders.

But Burrell had three fouls 10 minutes into the game, and Goldwire took advantage by hitting four 3s with Burrell on the bench.

Despite 14 first-half turnovers, the Musketeers stayed in it thanks to a 17-11 rebounding advantage and Duncan's three 3s.

Burrell picked up his fourth foul when he bumped Goldwire on a 3-point attempt with 18:57 left. Goldwire hit all three free throws to put Charlotte ahead 37-34.