Conwell’s 20 Points Not Enough as X Falls to Creighton
By Musketeer Madness, 1/29/2025

Xavier couldn’t keep pace with a red-hot Creighton second half, falling 86-77 at CHI Health Center on Monday night. The loss drops Xavier to 13-9 overall and 5-6 in BIG EAST play, while Creighton improved to 15-6 and 8-2 in conference action.

Ryan Conwell led Xavier with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including four three-pointers, but the Musketeers couldn’t slow down Creighton’s offensive firepower. John Hugley IV had his best game of the season, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, while also tying for the team lead with six rebounds.

Zach Freemantle added 16 points and six boards, and Dayvion McKnight chipped in eight points and five rebounds. Xavier shot 42.4% from the floor and hit nine three-pointers but struggled to contain Creighton’s efficient attack, especially after halftime.

The Musketeers kept things close early, trailing just 40-35 at the break. They shot 43.8% in the first half, with Conwell and Freemantle leading the way. However, Creighton found its rhythm in the second half, shooting a scorching 63.6% from the field and 80% (8-of-10) from deep, gradually pulling away.

Ryan Kalkbrenner powered the Bluejays with a game-high 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including two three-pointers, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Steven Ashworth added 15 points and a game-high eight assists, while Jamiya Neal and Isaac Traudt combined for 28 points as Creighton’s balanced scoring proved too much for Xavier to overcome.

The Musketeers made a push midway through the second half, cutting Creighton’s lead to 63-60 with just over seven minutes to play after a Conwell three-pointer. However, the Bluejays responded with a 10-2 run, fueled by Kalkbrenner and Ashworth, to regain control and hold off Xavier down the stretch.

Xavier will look to bounce back at home, as the Musketeers return to Cintas Center on Tuesday, February 4, to take on Georgetown. The game is set for an 8:30 p.m. tipoff on FS1, as Xavier aims to snap a two-game skid and get back on track in BIG EAST play.

Despite the loss, Xavier showed flashes of strong play, especially from Hugley, who continues to find his rhythm. With a key stretch of conference games ahead, the Musketeers will need to tighten up defensively and find more consistency in order to climb the BIG EAST standings.




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