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Balanced Attack Powers Musketeers Past Golden Eagles at Cintas Center
By
Musketeer Madness,
2/14/2026
The Xavier Musketeers rode a red-hot first half and timely second-half answers to secure a 96-88 win over the Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon at the Cintas Center. Xavier (13-12, 5-9) exploded for 51 first-half points, shooting 50 percent from the floor (18-for-36) and a blistering 11-for-22 (50 percent) from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes. The Musketeers built a lead as large as 21 in the first half and took a 51-35 advantage into the break.
All Wright led the early charge, scoring 16 first-half points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Jovan Milicevic added 13 points in the half, knocking down 3-of-4 from three, while Tre Carroll chipped in eight points and four rebounds before intermission.
For the game, Xavier finished 31-for-67 (46.3 percent) from the field and 16-for-34 (47.1 percent) from three, while converting 18-of-21 free throws (85.7 percent). The Musketeers also turned defense into offense, scoring 21 fast-break points and 16 second-chance points.
Milicevic paced Xavier with 23 points, hitting 6-of-9 from long range. Wright added 19 points and went 4-for-5 at the free-throw line, including a key late free throw to push the lead back to eight in the closing seconds. Carroll finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, attacking the paint and getting to the line in crucial stretches.
Filip Borovicanin contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, including a pivotal offensive putback with 1:13 remaining that extended the lead to six at 89-83. Isaiah Walker added four points in the final minute, including a layup that made it 91-83 and gave Xavier breathing room.
Marquette (9-17, 4-11) stayed within striking distance behind Nigel James Jr.’s 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting and Royce Parham’s 24 points. The Golden Eagles shot 36-for-70 (51.4 percent) overall and scored 56 points in the paint, trimming the deficit to four at 87-83 with just over two minutes to play.
But each time Marquette threatened, Xavier answered. After a James three cut it to four, Borovicanin’s tip-in and Walker’s layup helped steady the Musketeers. Down the stretch, Xavier went 9-of-11 from the free-throw line in the second half to seal the victory.
The Musketeers led for 38:44 of game time and controlled the tempo for much of the afternoon, delivering one of their most complete offensive performances of the season in front of 9,924 fans.
Next up for Xavier is another BIG EAST home contest against Villanova on Tuesday. Game time is set for 6:30pm at Cintas Center.
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