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Xavier Holds Off Seton Hall’s Late Surge for 73-66 Victory
By
Musketeer Madness,
2/23/2025
Xavier built a commanding first-half lead and held off a furious Seton Hall comeback to claim a 73-66 victory on Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center. The Musketeers were powered by Ryan Conwell’s game-high 22 points, including four three-pointers and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
The Musketeers (18-10, 10-7 Big East) took control early, jumping out to a 40-21 halftime lead behind efficient shooting and aggressive defense. Conwell’s sharpshooting set the tone, while Zach Freemantle added 11 points and seven rebounds to give Xavier a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
Seton Hall (7-20, 2-14 Big East) struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the first half, shooting just 29.6% from the field. Isaiah Coleman did his best to keep the Pirates afloat, leading all scorers with 24 points, but his efforts weren’t enough to counter Xavier’s hot start.
The second half told a different story as the Pirates clawed their way back into the contest. Seton Hall outscored Xavier 45-33 in the final 20 minutes, using a relentless defensive press and increased efficiency from the free-throw line to cut the deficit. Coleman’s back-to-back baskets in the final minutes trimmed Xavier’s lead to just three points with 1:23 left.
However, Xavier responded in the clutch. Conwell drained a crucial three-pointer with under a minute remaining to push the lead back to six, and the Musketeers sank their free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Xavier shot 75.8% from the free-throw line, converting 25-of-33 attempts, which proved to be the difference-maker in the tightly contested finish.
Dante Maddox Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 12 points for Xavier, including a perfect 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Dayvion McKnight contributed six points, seven assists, and three steals, playing a pivotal role in Xavier’s ability to withstand Seton Hall’s second-half push.
Despite the loss, Seton Hall found positives in its second-half performance. The Pirates shot 53.6% after halftime and forced 18 Xavier turnovers, showing their resilience despite the uphill battle. Prince Aligbe chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, while Garwey Dual added nine points in the effort.
With the win, Xavier strengthens its position in the Big East standings as the regular season nears its conclusion. The Musketeers will look to carry their momentum into their next matchup with Creighton on Saturday, March 1, while Seton Hall aims to regroup and finish strong despite a challenging season.
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