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Stanford knocks off No. 11 Xavier

Staff
Thursday November 21, 2002

STANFORD — Julius Barnes scored 14 points, including two free throws with 27 seconds left, and Stanford ran out the clock to upset No. 11 Xavier 63-62 in the quarterfinals of the Preseason NIT on Wednesday night. 

The Cardinal advanced to the semifinals next Wednesday at New York’s Madison Square Garden against the winner of Thursday night’s second-round game between Eastern Illinois and No. 8 Florida. 

Stanford (2-0) held on after Xavier’s Lionel Chalmers made a short, off-balance jumper with 12 seconds left. Chalmers led the Musketeers (1-1) with 20 points, 14 in the second half as Xavier came back after a poor start. Chalmers was 5-for-8 from the field in the second half. 

The Cardinal got the ball under Xavier’s hoop with 12 seconds left after Chalmers scored, then passed the ball and ran out the clock. The fans then swarmed the court. 

Barnes’ free throws were big after Stanford struggled all night from the line, going only 5-for-13 in the second half before he converted his attempts. 

Stanford finished the game 11-for-21 from the line. 

David West scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Xavier and Romain Sato added 15 points.