Xavier Survives Marist 66–62 in Richard Pitino’s Debut
Pitino introduced an up-tempo, pressure defense that flashed promise despite clear early growing pains.
Overview
- Jovan Milicevic hit the go-ahead three with 1:41 left and added two free throws in the final seconds to close out the win.
- Xavier squandered a large second-half lead as Marist ripped a 13-0 run to go up 60-59 before the Musketeers steadied late.
- Marist shot 60.9% after halftime, led by guard Rhyjon Blackwell’s game-high 24 points in a late surge.
- Malik Messina-Moore paced Xavier with 16 points, with Milicevic and All Wright adding 14 each and Tre Carroll scoring 11.
- Under Pitino’s new pressure scheme, Xavier forced 11 first-half turnovers and extended its streak to 36 straight wins in regular-season openers, with Le Moyne up next on Nov. 6 and a visit to Iowa on Nov. 14.