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Heartbreaker at the Garden: Xavier Falls to Marquette in Big East Tournament Thriller
By
Musketeer Madness,
3/13/2025
Xavier's seven-game win streak came to a heartbreaking end on Thursday afternoon as the Musketeers fell 89-87 to Marquette in a Big East Tournament quarterfinal showdown at Madison Square Garden.
The Musketeers (21-11, 13-7 Big East) led by as many as 12 points in the first half and took a 46-36 lead into the break, but Marquette's red-hot shooting in the second half proved to be too much to overcome. The Golden Eagles (23-9, 13-7) shot 61.3% from the field after halftime, including 50% from three-point range, to storm back and snatch the victory in a dramatic final minute.
Ryan Conwell was spectacular for Xavier, pouring in a game-high 38 points on 13-of-18 shooting, including 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. His clutch three-pointer with just three seconds left cut Marquette’s lead to two, but the Musketeers ran out of time before they could complete the comeback.
Marquette's Kam Jones matched Conwell's heroics, leading the Golden Eagles with 28 points, including five three-pointers. His aggressive playmaking in the final minutes helped Marquette erase a late deficit and secure the win. Chase Ross and Stevie Mitchell each added 16 points for Marquette, who advanced to the semifinals with the victory.
Xavier controlled the first half with efficient offense and defensive intensity. Zach Freemantle was dominant inside, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Dailyn Swain contributed 11 points. The Musketeers' ball movement kept Marquette off balance early, but the momentum shifted dramatically after halftime.
Marquette began chipping away at the lead early in the second half, with Jones and Ross leading the charge. Xavier struggled to contain the Golden Eagles’ perimeter shooting, allowing 14 made three-pointers overall. Eight lead changes highlighted a back-and-forth battle down the stretch.
With under a minute to play, Xavier trailed 84-80 when Conwell drove inside for a layup. On the next possession, Jones responded with a clutch basket for Marquette. After a Xavier turnover, David Joplin buried a deep three to stretch the lead to four, sealing the Musketeers' fate.
Despite the loss, Xavier showcased its offensive firepower, shooting 52.6% from the field and 47.8% from deep. However, Marquette's second-half surge and ability to capitalize on Xavier’s turnovers proved to be the difference.
The loss leaves Xavier anxiously awaiting its postseason fate. The Musketeers remain in the mix for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, but they will have to sweat it out until Selection Sunday. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m. on CBS, where Xavier hopes to hear its name called.
Marquette moves on in the Big East Tournament, keeping its hopes alive for a potential conference title. Meanwhile, Xavier can only hope its strong regular season resume holds enough weight with the selection committee.
For now, the Musketeers must regroup, reflect on their late-game struggles, and prepare for whatever postseason fate awaits them. Whether it’s the NCAA Tournament or another postseason opportunity, Xavier will look to bounce back from this heartbreaking loss and make some noise in March.
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