Men's Basketball Falls in Regular Season Finale at Marquette

Saturday, March 6

Milwaukee, Wis.

9:00 p.m.

Xavier University

13-7,6-7Big East

Marquette

13-13,8-11Big East

Xavier

Marquette

Men's Basketball Falls in Regular Season Finale at Marquette

03.06.21 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score 2021 BIG EAST Tournament Bracket

Musketeers will play Wednesday in the BIG EAST Tournament

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

MILWAUKEE - After falling behind early Xavier men's basketball climbed back into the game to tie it up with 12 minutes to play, but were unable to take the lead in the final minutes of the game, falling to Marquette, 66-59, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday evening. Xavier moved to 13-7 overall and 6-7 in BIG EAST play and now moves on to the BIG EAST Tournament where the Musketeers will open play on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. against Butler.

Paul Scruggs led three Musketeers in double figures, including C.J. Wilcher, who set a new career high in his first collegiate start.

FIRST HALF

After Paul Scruggs hit the opening basket, Marquette went on a 10-3 run to take the lead, not relinquishing it for the rest of the half.
The Golden Eagles led by as many as 10, 17-7, with nine minutes in the first half before five straight points from Xavier pulled the Musketeers within five, 17-12.
Marquette maintained a two possession lead for the rest of the half, going into the break up eight, 32-14.
Paul Scruggs led the Musketeers with 10 point in the first half.
Marquette held a 17-13 advantage on the boards in the first half.

SECOND HALF

Xavier opened the second half by outscoring Marquette 14-6 over the first seven and half minutes to tie the game at 38-38 with 12:27 to play.
After trading baskets to make it 40-40, Marquette built its lead back out to as many as seven 52-45, with seven minutes remaining.
Xavier would get as close as one, 60-59, before the Golden Eagles close out the game with five straight points from D.J. Carton to set the final score at 66-59.
Zach Freemantle and Paul Scruggs each had eight to lead the way for the Musketeers in the second half.

NOTABLES

Paul Scruggs led the Musketeers with 18 points, and matched team-high with six rebounds.
Adam Kunkel added 11 for the Musketeers and dished out three assists.
C.J. Wilcher, who made his first career start, set a new career high at 10 points, including a pair of threes.
Marquette held a 32-28 advantage on the board. Zach Freemantle matched Paul Scruggs for team-high in rebounds with six.

UP NEXT

Xavier moves on to play in the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden next week as the No. 7 seed, opening up play against No. 10 seed Butler on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m.

PRESS CONFERENCE