Freemantle’s Double-Double Powers X Past DePaul
By Musketeer Madness, 1/12/2025

Xavier University’s men’s basketball team secured a decisive 77-63 victory over DePaul on Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena, bolstered by an outstanding performance from Zach Freemantle. The senior forward notched a double-double, tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading a trio of Musketeers in double-digit scoring.

The game began with Xavier (10-7, 2-4 BIG EAST) asserting control early, building a 15-point halftime lead with a balanced offensive attack. Freemantle’s versatility in the paint and from beyond the arc, coupled with Ryan Conwell’s sharp shooting, allowed the Musketeers to dictate the pace. Conwell added 19 points, hitting key shots from the perimeter, while Jerome Hunter contributed 10 points and six rebounds in a strong supporting role.

DePaul (9-8, 0-6 BIG EAST) struggled to find offensive rhythm in the first half, shooting just 32.1% from the field. Although CJ Gunn’s 16 points and Jacob Meyer’s 14 points kept the Blue Demons within striking distance, they were unable to overcome the Musketeers’ relentless defense and efficient scoring. Xavier limited DePaul to just 22 points in the paint and capitalized on turnovers with 13 fast-break points.

The Musketeers maintained their intensity in the second half, countering DePaul’s brief scoring surges with timely baskets. Freemantle’s interior dominance and a clutch three-pointer midway through the second half helped stave off any potential comeback. Xavier shot an impressive 48.1% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line, highlighting their offensive efficiency.

Xavier’s bench also played a pivotal role, contributing 29 points to outmatch DePaul’s reserves. Dante Maddox Jr. and John Hugley IV combined for nine points and critical rebounds that sustained the Musketeers’ momentum during key stretches of the game. Maddox’s defensive presence was especially impactful, as he recorded two steals to disrupt DePaul’s offensive flow.

The Blue Demons showed resilience, cutting the deficit to 14 points late in the game with Gunn’s three-pointer, but it proved too little too late. Xavier’s composure and well-executed plays down the stretch sealed the victory, marking their second conference win of the season.

With the win, the Musketeers improved to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the BIG EAST, while DePaul dropped to 9-8 and remains winless in conference play at 0-6.

Xavier will now look to build on this momentum as they return home to face Villanova at the Cintas Center on Tuesday, January 14. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on FS1.




Home | Admin | Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Musketeer Madness.  All Rights Reserved
MusketeerMadness.com is an independently owned and operated site, unaffiliated with Xavier University, the school and athletic program.