Xavier Musketeers and Mount St. Mary’s secured their places in the NCAA tournament after thrilling victories in the First Four matchups on Wednesday.

Xavier, trailing by 13 points, staged an impressive second-half comeback to defeat Texas 86-80. Marcus Foster led the Musketeers with 22 points, while Zach Freemantle sealed the win with a last-second dunk. Head coach Sean Miller praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Just when you think it’s over, we find a way.” Xavier now faces No. 6 Illinois in the first round on Friday in Milwaukee.

In another First Four game, Mount St. Mary’s triumphed over American 83-72, with standout performances from Dola Adebayo and Jedy Cordilia, each scoring 22 points. The Mountaineers, earning their third-ever tournament win, now prepare to face No. 1 Duke in Raleigh. Head coach Donny Lind acknowledged the challenge but emphasized his team’s readiness.

As the 64-team bracket is now set, Xavier and Mount St. Mary’s look to continue their momentum in the tournament’s opening round.