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Xavier tops Butler 76-72 in Big East Conference Tournament

Xavier will face No. 2 UConn on Thursday in the quarterfinals, while Butler's chance at an NCAA bid is over.

INDIANAPOLIS — Desmond Claude had 26 points in Xavier's 76-72 victory over Butler on Wednesday in the Big East Conference Tournament.

Xavier (16-16) will face No. 2 UConn on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Claude also had five rebounds for the Musketeers. Dayvion McKnight added 20 points while going 8 of 12 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) while he also had five rebounds and four steals. Quincy Olivari had 19 points and shot 7 of 19 from the field, including 3 for 13 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line.

Pierre Brooks finished with 21 points for the Bulldogs (18-14). Jalen Thomas added 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for Butler. Posh Alexander also had 14 points and five assists.

McKnight's 16-point second half helped Xavier close out the four-point victory.

RELATED: Where Indiana teams stand as the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament approaches

BOX SCORE

XAVIER (16-16)

Djokovic 1-5 0-0 2, Ousmane 3-8 0-0 6, Claude 11-20 3-4 26, McKnight 8-12 2-2 20, Olivari 7-19 2-3 19, Nemeiksa 0-0 0-0 0, Green 1-3 0-0 3, Nzeh 0-0 0-0 0, Ciani 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-67 7-9 76.

BUTLER (18-14)

Telfort 5-12 0-1 11, Thomas 6-8 0-0 14, Alexander 5-11 3-4 14, Davis 3-11 3-3 10, Brooks 8-13 2-2 21, Bizjack 0-2 0-0 0, Moore 0-2 0-0 0, Screen 1-2 0-0 2, Kapke 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-62 8-10 72.

Halftime: Xavier 32-31. 

3-Point Goals: Xavier 7-22 (Olivari 3-13, McKnight 2-4, Green 1-2, Claude 1-3), Butler 8-26 (Brooks 3-7, Thomas 2-2, Alexander 1-3, Telfort 1-4, Davis 1-7, Bizjack 0-1, Kapke 0-1, Moore 0-1). 

Rebounds: Xavier 36 (Olivari 9), Butler 32 (Thomas 7). 

Assists: Xavier 19 (Olivari 6), Butler 16 (Alexander 5). 

Total Fouls: Xavier 16, Butler 15.

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