Xavier Upsets No. 7 Marquette in Nail-Biter, 59-57
By Musketeer Madness, 1/18/2025

In a thrilling contest at Fiserv Forum, Xavier held off No. 7 Marquette, 59-57, on Saturday afternoon to secure its first road victory over a top-10 opponent since 2020. Zach Freemantle and Dailyn Swain led the way, combining for 26 points and 19 rebounds, as the Musketeers improved to 12-7 overall and 4-4 in BIG EAST play.

Xavier built a commanding 35-24 halftime lead thanks to efficient shooting and stout defense, but Marquette stormed back in the second half. The Golden Eagles outscored Xavier 33-24 in the final 20 minutes, led by David Joplin’s 18 points, but their rally fell just short.

Freemantle paced the Musketeers with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and a block in 32 minutes of action. The senior forward’s defensive presence and clutch rebounding helped Xavier fend off Marquette’s late push. Swain added 12 points and nine rebounds, including key plays down the stretch to maintain the lead.

Dayvion McKnight delivered a balanced performance for the Musketeers with nine points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Marcus Foster chipped in nine points and eight rebounds. Ryan Conwell, though held to six points on 3-for-13 shooting, provided a crucial assist in the closing minutes to secure the win.

Xavier’s defense proved pivotal, holding Marquette to just 37.1% shooting from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc. Despite their struggles from deep, the Musketeers controlled the paint, outscoring the Golden Eagles 36-30 inside.

The victory marked Xavier’s first win over an AP Top 10 team on the road since February 1, 2020, when the Musketeers defeated No. 10 Seton Hall, 74-62. The upset gives Xavier momentum as it prepares to face St. John’s on Wednesday, January 22, at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

Marquette, which fell to 15-3 (6-1 BIG EAST), saw its six-game winning streak snapped. Joplin led the Golden Eagles with 18 points and six rebounds, while Kam Jones added 11 points and six assists. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Xavier’s balanced attack and clutch execution.

With their confidence surging, the Musketeers will aim to carry this energy into the back half of their BIG EAST schedule.




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