SALT LAKE CITY, March 17 (UPI) -- Adam Morrison scored 35 points Thursday night as Gonzaga overcame Xavier, 79-75, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
It was a contest in the Oakland bracket at Salt Lake City.
Morrison also had four assists and two rebounds.
J.P. Batista added 18 points and eight rebounds; Derek Raivio had seven points and two assists; and Errol Knight had seven points and six rebounds for the 3rd-seeded Bulldogs, who rose to 28-3 with their nation's best 19th straight victory after trailing by six points with 4:30 remaining.
Stanley Burrell had 22 points, three rebounds and five assists; Justin Cage added 16 points and five rebounds; and Josh Duncan had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists for the 14th-seeded Musketeers, who finished at 21-11.
Xavier was playing without its leading scorer, Brian Thornton, who broke his ankle and missed the final four games. He averaged 15.3 points per contest.
