Xavier Tops South Carolina 75-66 in Tip-Off

In the opening game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off, No. 22 Xavier rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to defeat South Carolina 75-66. Despite a strong first half from the Gamecocks, who led 34-29, Xavier's second-half performance was marked by a significant improvement in rebounding and shooting, as they out-rebounded South Carolina 41-31 overall. Key players for Xavier included Zach Freemantle with 16 points and Dailyn Swain contributing 14 points, while Collin Murray-Boyles led South Carolina with 13 points. The Gamecocks struggled with turnovers, conceding 20 points off their mistakes, which contrasted sharply with Xavier's efficiency on the glass and their ability to capitalize on second chances. Coach Lamont Paris expressed disappointment in his team's failure to maintain their lead, highlighting that they were unable to convert on key opportunities despite a competitive effort. Xavier advances to face Michigan in the championship game, while South Carolina will play Virginia Tech in the consolation match.