Xavier's Edmond Sumner leaves game on stretcher after collision at Villanova
The much-anticipated Big East opener between No. 6 Xavier and No. 16 Villanova got off to a scary start.
Less than three minutes into the first half, Xavier redshirt freshman point guard Edmond Sumner went up for a layup on a fast break, but collided with Villanova's Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart. Sumner took the brunt of the hit, taking a hard fall to the floor. He was on his back for several minutes in the hushed Pavilion crowd and didn't move for several minutes until he finally raised his knees.
Taking the proper precautions, Sumner left the arena on a stretcher and was sent to a local hospital.
Gus Johnson, who was on the call on FS1, later reported that Sumner had movements in his extremities. After the game (a 95-64 win by Villanova), Xavier coach Chris Mack said Sumner was doing better, though Sumner would not return with the team and likely will take a commercial flight Thursday night to Cincinnati.
"Long term, he's going to be fine," Mack said. "He was walking and talking. Has a horrendous headache."
He later tweeted that Sumner had been released from the hospital and would rejoin the team for the flight home.
The 6-foot-6 Sumner entered the game second on the team in scoring at 11.7 points per game.
Xavier hosts No. 9 Butler on Saturday at 1 p.m. on FS1.
