Junior Matt Nelson scored 26 points to lead Xavier to a 71-70 overtime win over 10th-ranked West Des Moines Dowling in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at Xavier.

It was a battle because Dowling knocked down 12 3-point baskets.

“Certainly they were hitting their 3-pointers today,” said Xavier Coach Ryan Luehrsmann.  “We just had to weather the storm, keep pounding the paint and hitting our free throws.”

That strategy provided the win for the Saints. Nelson, Xavier’s 6-foot-8 post man, dominated the lane at both ends.  He led all scorers, making 11 field goals and 4 of 5 free throws, and took away the lane on the defensive end.

“This is a natural progression for Matt,” said Luehrsmann. “He is now becoming the go-to guy we need and when he gets his timing down transitioning from football, he will be even more effective.”

“We have kind of put an emphasis on our inside game, but if our guards hit a few outside shots it sure helps open things up on the inside,” Nelson said.  “When the coaches and players show confidence in me, it makes me a better player.”

Senior Trey Sampson is the floor leader for the Saints.  He contributed 17 points, including two 3-pointers. He also hit the critical free throw with 2.1 seconds left in overtime to give Xavier its margin of victory.

“After I missed the first free throw they called a timeout. During the timeout my teammates and coaches were so supportive that I knew I would make the second one and in went in,” said Sampson.

Dowling had three players in double figures, led by Eric Austin with 17. Matthew Haack and Grant Otte chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Xavier remains undefeated at 5-0 overall.

DOWLING CATHOLIC (70): Odia 4 0-0 9, Otte 5 1-2 13, Haack 6 0-0 16, Austin 7 1-3 2, Brown 2 0-0 4, Savage-Warren 3 0-0 9, Green 1 0-0 2, DeVenney 0 0-0 0, Katich 0 0-0 0.  Totals 28 2-7 70.

XAVIER (71): Winker 2 0-1 5, Sampson 6 3-4 17, McDermott 4 4-4 13, Nelson 11 4-5 26, Woods 2 1-3 5, Schulte 2 1-2 5, Downey 0 0-0 0, Scholer 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 13-19 71.

Halftime – Xavier 34, Dowling Catholic 32. End of regulation – Dowling Catholic 62, Xavier 62.  3-point goals – Dowling Catholic 12 (Odia 1, Otte 2 Haack 4, Austin 2, Savage-Warren 3), Xavier 4 (Winker1, Sampson 2, McDermott 1).  Fouled out - None.