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Maddox's Season-High Not Enough as X Falls Short in Philly
By
Musketeer Madness,
2/9/2025
Dante Maddox Jr. delivered his best scoring performance of the season with 24 points, but Xavier couldn’t keep pace with Villanova in the second half, falling 80-68 at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Musketeers (14-10, 6-7 BIG EAST) battled through a back-and-forth first half that featured 17 lead changes and nine ties. Maddox Jr. led a balanced offensive attack, shooting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Zach Freemantle added 18 points, while Marcus Foster chipped in 10.
After a tightly contested first half that ended knotted at 33, Villanova (14-10, 7-6 BIG EAST) found another gear in the final 20 minutes. The Wildcats shot a blistering 60% from the field and buried seven three-pointers, turning a deadlock into a double-digit advantage.
Eric Dixon and Wooga Poplar proved to be the difference-makers for Villanova, scoring 24 and 23 points, respectively. Tyler Perkins came off the bench to add 20, including several key shots to stifle any Xavier comeback attempt.
Despite the loss, Xavier showed resilience, keeping Villanova within striking distance for much of the game. A three-pointer by Maddox Jr. early in the second half gave the Musketeers a brief 52-46 lead, but the Wildcats answered with a 10-2 run to regain control.
Xavier struggled to match Villanova’s sharp shooting down the stretch. The Wildcats were a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and finished the game shooting 50.9% from the floor, compared to Xavier’s 49.1%.
The Musketeers also had difficulty capitalizing on Villanova’s turnovers, managing just eight points off giveaways. Meanwhile, Villanova found success inside, outscoring Xavier in the paint 28-32 and winning the rebounding battle 30-27.
With the loss, Xavier drops below .500 in BIG EAST play and now shifts its focus to another tough road test. The Musketeers travel to Providence for an 8 p.m. showdown against the Friars on Wednesday, February 12, with the game airing on Peacock.
As Xavier looks to bounce back, Maddox Jr.’s breakout performance offers a bright spot, showcasing his ability to provide a scoring spark for the Musketeers in the final stretch of the season.
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