Journal-News.com

As Xavier tore through the Atlantic 10 this season, you wondered just how far this team might go in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

How about the Elite Eight? How about one win from the Final Four?

That's where the Musketeers stand after beating Bob Huggins and West Virginia 79-75 in overtime in a West Region semifinal Thursday, March 27.

Hero's laurels

B.J. Raymond, who had made one field goal all night, hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to put the Musketeers ahead 75-74 with 1:18 to play in overtime.

Raymond then shook loose on an inbounds play, took a crosscourt pass and made a 3 with the shot clock expiring with 30 seconds to go for a 78-74 lead.

Josh Duncan scored a career-high 26 points, despite foul trouble, to lead Xavier, which squandered an early 18-point lead.

Turning point

West Virginia missed four of six free throws in overtime. Joe Alexander (18 points, 10 rebounds) missed one with 14.2 seconds left in regulation that would have given his team a 65-64 lead.

Key stat

Xavier shot 11-for-19 from 3-point range. West Virginia was 1-for-11. The Mountaineers had only one worse performance on 3s this season, going 1-for-22 in a loss to Cincinnati.

What's next?

Third-seeded Xavier (30-6) seeks its first Final Four appearance when it plays the winner of the UCLA-Western Kentucky game in the regional final on Saturday, March 29.