The Xavier Musketeers suffered their third loss in a row on Saturday at the hands of No. 9 Marquette basketball via a score of 72-70 at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Marquette star Kam Jones knocked down a free throw with under five seconds left to put the Golden Eagles ahead by two points.
Xavier had a chance of at least tying the game after that, but Musketeers guard Ryan Conwell failed to get off a shot, as he stumbled into the floor just after crossing the halfcourt line. Marquette guard Chase Ross was guarding Conwell during that play but no whistle was blown, as time expired. The Musketeers trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half but did not give up, as they turned things around and put immense pressure on the Golden Eagles up the last second.
“I thought we really fought at a time when it looked like they were gonna blow us out and we really were able to turn it around,” Miller told reporters following the game (h/t Mike Petraglia).
“I credit you know the five guys that were in at that time. I thought their energy and effort was outstanding and I think it says a lot about their pride.”
Marquette basketball escapes with a close win against Xavier
The Musketeers are still without injured star and senior forward Zach Freemantle, whose presence in the pain was greatly missed in the Marquette game by Xavier. Marquette basketball torched Xavier’s interior defense with 44 points in the paint. Xavier dropped to 8-5 overall in the standings and remain winless after two games in Big East play.
As for Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles, Marquette basketball improved to 11-2 overall and 2-0 against conference rivals.
Xavier will next deal with the Seton Hall Pirates at home on Tuesday while Marquette basketball will face off against the Providence Friars on the road, also on Tuesday.
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