Marquette University
Xavier
Men's Basketball Wins In A Thriller
1/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2000
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Cordell Henry hit a late three-pointer and made a big steal as Marquette rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to beat Xavier 65-63 in a nonconference game Sunday.
Henry made a 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to tie the game at 62 with 1:07 to go. On Xavier's next possession, Henry stole the ball above the key and drove the length of the floor.
Though he missed the layup, John Cliff grabbed the offensive rebound and fed it back to Henry, who scored to make it 64-62 Marquette (7-4).
Xavier (9-3) and Marquette each hit one of two free throws, and Xavier had a final chance to tie or win on its last possession.
However, Maurice McAfee missed a 3-pointer and Alvin Brown's 15-footer was an air ball before Marquette grabbed the rebound and clinched the victory for Marquette first-year coach Tom Crean.
Xavier shot 56.5 percent in the first half (13 of 23) while the Golden Eagles were held to 26 percent (7 of 27). Lloyd Price scored 12 points and Brown 10 as Xavier took a 39-23 lead at intermission.
However, the Golden Eagles outscored Xavier 12-0 over a 6:12 stretch of the second half to take a 54-50 lead.
Brian Wardle led Marquette with 14 points and Cliff added 13. Wardle had scored at least 25 points in four straight games, the only player in the nation to do so this season.
Xavier was led by Price's 19 points. David West and Brown added 12 each.
