New Orleans, LA – The Xavier Gold Rush suffered a heartbreaking loss to fourth-seeded Robert Morris College (IL) 81-79, in round one of the 2005 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in Kansas City, MO, earlier this morning.

Clinging to a one-point lead (79-78) in the final eight seconds, a foul by Xavier senior guard Michael Varnado sent Carlos Hurt to the free throw line.  Hurt converted both shots to give the Eagles the advantage, 80-79.

On Xavier’s ensuing possession, freshman guard Shaun Dumas was fouled by Aaron Willington and went to the charity stripe for two shots with five ticks left.  Dumas missed both bonus shots and Willington grabbed the rebound, forcing Dumas to foul with three seconds left in the game.

The Gold Rush called a timeout, but time was not on their side as the clock dwindled down and Willington managed to count one of the shots, making it a two-point contest, 81-79.  The game ended with a failed three-point attempt by senior forward Jonathan Harper at the buzzer.

Sophomore guard Mark Stewart came off the bench to lead the Rush with 15 points, followed by Harper with 14 points and a team-best eight rebounds.  Varnado added 12 points. 

Xavier finishes the season with an overall record of 24-10. 

-www.xula.edu/athletics-