Conwell's Career Night Propels Xavier Past Villanova
By Musketeer Madness, 1/14/2025

Ryan Conwell delivered a career-high 34 points as Xavier surged in the second half to defeat Villanova, 69-63, at the Cintas Center on Tuesday night. The sophomore guard was unstoppable, shooting 8-for-13 from the field, including 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, and an impressive 12-for-14 from the free-throw line.

The Musketeers (11-7, 3-4 BIG EAST) rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit, fueled by Conwell's hot hand and a relentless team effort. Villanova (11-7, 4-3 BIG EAST) led 32-24 at the break, but Xavier outscored the Wildcats 45-31 in the second half to claim the victory.

Zach Freemantle narrowly missed a double-double, contributing 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. The forward also dished out three assists in 36 minutes. Dayvion McKnight added 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in a well-rounded performance.

Xavier's comeback was sparked by an explosive run midway through the second half. Trailing by seven early, the Musketeers used a combination of three-point shooting and defensive stops to claw back into the game. Conwell’s pair of back-to-back three-pointers tied the score at 58, and his steady free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win.

Marcus Foster and Dailyn Swain chipped in six points each, with Swain grabbing five rebounds. Their defensive energy helped Xavier hold Villanova to just 43.1% shooting from the field and forced 14 turnovers, which translated into 18 points for the Musketeers.

Villanova's Eric Dixon led the Wildcats with 18 points and four rebounds, while Jordan Longino added 18 points of his own. However, their efforts weren’t enough to fend off Xavier's second-half surge. The Wildcats' 10-point lead in the first half, their largest of the night, gradually dissipated under the Musketeers’ relentless pressure.

Xavier now turns its focus to a critical BIG EAST matchup at No. 7 Marquette on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast nationally on FOX.




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