After nearly pulling off the incredible upset, the No. 14 Kennesaw State Owls couldn’t quite hold on against No. 3 Xavier on Friday in the 2023 NCAA men’s tournament.
After the Owls led by 13 down the stretch, the Musketeers mounted a ferocious upset and put the game on razor’s edge as the final moments winded down.
With Xavier up 68-67 with just a few seconds to go, Kennesaw State guard Terrell Burden drove to the basket and had his shot blocked by Xavier forward Jack Nunge.
Owls guard Spencer Rodgers snagged the rebound and got some contact from Musketeers forward Colby Jones and guard Jerome Hunter. However, the refs held the whistles on Xavier, and Kennesaw State couldn’t turn the possession into a game-winning basket.
Xavier would hold onto win and advance, 72-67.
CLUTCH BLOCK BY XAVIER 😱👋 pic.twitter.com/dgoQFpUu2G
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2023
Some folks felt that Rodgers got fouled on the sequence, but CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore said that the officials were wise to let the play fall as it did.
"I think it's a really good no-call."- Gene Steratore 🏀🦓 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/gLKQsmgHy3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 17, 2023
After such an exciting game, nobody likes to see the final horn sound with questionable officiating souring the final result.
Kennesaw State had a lot to be proud of for the school’s first NCAA men’s tournament bid, but the ending will undoubtedly sting.
