Xavier Downs Marquette For Eighth Straight Win Top Big East

The Xavier Musketeers won a knock down drag out fight with the Marquette Warriors, excuse me, Golden Eagles, 86-79.

Marquette was known as the Warriors when the two were both members of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference some 30 years ago.

With animated coach Buzz Williams running up, down and out from the sidelines.  Xavier scored more than 80 points. It was the first time the Marquette allowed that many in a game. The teams came into the contest 1and 2 in rebounds and defense. Marquette led the conference in scoring defense with a stingy 61.5 allowed per game.

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Semaj Christon scored a career-high 28 points, including a pair of huge 3-point field goals as the teams were tied at 69 with five minutes to go.

"Semaj is good at getting to the basket," Xavier coach Chris Mack said. "It is hard to score 28 points on 10 shots. It tells me that they were denying him the ball all over the court.  He has worked so tirelessly on shooting the jump shot.  When he takes a shot and is that comfortable, he becomes a nightmare."

Justin Martin scored 15 points.  Dee Davis had 13. James Farr contributed 10 points in 12 minutes with a key stick back when Xavier really needed it.

"I'm proud of the way James Farr and Jalen Reynolds played when Isaiah Philmore and Matt (Stainbrook) got into foul trouble.  The dunk off the rebound was huge.  It put us in the lockerroom with a six-point lead.

Marquette's big front line gave Xavier fits.

Devante Gardner led the Golden Eagles with 19.  Jake Thomas scored 17 with five 3-point shots. Deonte Burton added 13 and Todd Mayo 10.

Xavier (13-3, 3-0) outrebounded Marquette (9-7, 1-2) 39-20 with Matt Stainbrook and Martin leading the way with eight each.  Gardner led the Golden Eagles with four.

"They were just tougher than we were," Marquette coach Buzz Williams said.  "When you get outrebounded by 20 there isn't much you can say.  I googled magic pills but nothing came up.  We just have to work harder and be tougher."

Christon dished out two assists and turned the ball over once.  It was his first turnover in four games.
Martin has scored in double figures in all three of Xavier's Big East contests.

Xavier joins Villanova and Creighton with perfect 3-0 Big East records.