Xavier teammates get into on-court shouting match throughout comeback win over Kennesaw State in NCAA Tournament

Xavier’s first-round victory over Kennesaw State on Friday throughout the NCAA Tournament didn’t come straightforward. 

During the Musketeers’ 72-67 come-from-behind win, two Xavier teammates engaged in a shouting match whereas coming off the ground throughout a timeout. 

Souley Boum, proper, of the Xavier Musketeers argues with teammate Adam Kunkel of their sport in opposition to the Kennesaw State Owls within the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., on Friday. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Guards Souley Boum and Adam Kunkel appeared to yell at one another on the court docket earlier than coaches needed to get in between the 2 close to the bench. 

XAVIER STAGES FURIOUS RALLY TO BEAT KENNESAW STATE IN OWLS’ FIRST-EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME

After the sport, Boum instructed reporters the two teammates made up following the win.  

“Yeah, we fought. I really like that dude. We love one another,” he mentioned. “This is March Madness. This is every thing that we work for. It’s the warmth of the second. 

“We’ve obtained to be sharp. We’ve obtained to be on level with stuff, and if we get somewhat emotional, it is nothing private. It’s simply we need to win. We need to win, and we need to advance. Me and him, there is not any laborious emotions. We hugged it out within the locker room, and we’re nice.” 

BAYLOR AVOIDS UPSET AGAINST UC SANTA BARBARA WITH BIG SECOND HALF

Boum completed the day with 17 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas Kunkel pitched in eight factors, six assists and 4 rebounds. 

Souley Boum, second from left, huddles with Xavier teammates Jack Nunge, left, Adam Kunkel and Jerome Hunter throughout the first half of their first-round sport in opposition to Kennesaw State within the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., on Friday. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Xavier was almost one other casualty of this yr’s already wild NCAA Tournament, falling behind 61-48 with below 10 minutes remaining within the second half. 

But Kennesaw State went ice-cold, permitting Xavier to storm again with a 15-0 run and take a 62-61 lead with below 5 minutes remaining. 

“I believed all through the sport we had a few photographs we usually make,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller mentioned of the 15-0 run. “We did not, however I believed we transformed off of particular person performs, off of transition alternatives, perhaps a few set performs. I believed we obtained a few attractiveness and knocked them in. 

Xavier head coach Sean Miller reacts throughout the first half of a first-round males’s faculty basketball sport in opposition to Kennesaw State within the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., on Friday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

“At the top of the day, the set play can create a shot. The offense can create a shot, however, you already know, these guys have to have the ability to make them, they usually did.” 

The Musketeers will play the 11-seed Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday in Round 2.