University of Washington
3-1,0-0Pac-12
Xavier
2-2,0-0Big East
Huskies Beat Xavier 74-71, Advance In Main Event
November 18, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Keion Brooks Jr. had 20 points, Sahvir Wheeler scored 18 and Washington came away with a 74-71 victory over Xavier on Friday night to advance to the Continental Tire Main Event championship.
"It was a really gritty performance," said Head Coach Mike Hopkins. "We came out and we fought and that's what I was most proud about."
Wheeler had 12 points at the break for the Huskies (3-1), who trailed by seven.
Brooks scored seven in a 21-13 run to begin the second half and Washington took a 51-50 lead with 12:08 remaining. The lead changed hands four times until Moses Wood and Brooks hit back-to-back three-pointers to put the Huskies up 61-56 with 6:53 remaining. Xavier got within two points five times from there but could get no closer.
Moses Wood hit a clutch jumper to make the score 73-69 with 19 seconds remaining. After Xavier pulled to within two again, Brooks hit a free throw to stretch the lead to three and a last-second shot clanged off the backboard to end the game.
When it counts Mo!#TougherTogether x @mo_birdy pic.twitter.com/uKJC5krsUE
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) November 18, 2023
Brooks sank nine of 12 from the free-throw line. He added eight rebounds and blocked three shots. Wheeler added five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Franck Kepnang scored six of his eight points in the second half and finished with a career-high 12 rebounds. Koren Johnson was the third Husky in double figures with 10.
Washington will play reigning national runner-up San Diego State in the championship game on Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
For updates, follow @UW_MBB on Instagram and X/Twitter.
