Xavier's Sumner taken off court on stretcher after hard fall

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) Xavier freshman guard Edmond Sumner was ''walking and talking'' at a hospital after he was taken off the court on a stretcher following a hard fall in Thursday's game against Villanova.

Sumner drove to the basket when he collided in midair with Villanova defender Kris Jenkins and crashed to the court. Jenkins, 6-foot-6, 240-pounds, appeared to land on Sumner's head and plow it into the court.

Sumner was motionless on his back for several minutes until he finally raised his knees. Coach Chris Mack, trainers and teammates checked on Sumner, among the more promising freshman in basketball who has averaged 11.7 points for the No. 6 Musketeers.

''Long term, he's going to be fine,'' Mack said. ''He was walking and talking. Has a horrendous headache.''

Mack said Sumner would not return with the team and likely take a commercial flight Thursday night to Cincinnati.

The 16th-ranked Wildcats beat Xavier 95-64.