MBB Big East Tournament: No. 2 Xavier trounces No. 7 Marquette, Advances to Semifinals

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The Xavier Musketeers defeated the Marquette Golden Eagles 90-72   on Thursday night to advance to the semifinal round on Friday. The Musketeers will take on the winner of the 9:30 p.m. game between the Creighton Blue Jays and Seton Hall Pirates.

Xavier was led by sophomore guard Trevon Bluiett who tallied 24 points and six rebounds and by sophomore guard J.P. Macura who had 12 points and three rebounds.

The 24 points by Bluiett is the most for an Xavier player in Big East Tournament history and the 90 points scored are the most by an Xavier team in the tournament.

Senior forward James Farr and junior forward Jalen Reynolds also contributed 12 and 11 points respectively.

Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was Jajuan Johnson who had 19 points in the loss.

The Musketeers jumped out to a 46-30 lead shooting 59.9 percent from the field in the first half and never looked back holding Marquette to 38 percent from the field.

“Our guys from the very beginning played very strong defensively,” Xavier Head Coach Chris Mack said. “I was really pleased how we played defensively especially in the first half.”

“We just want to go out and play hard,” Farr said. “It’s one and done in tournament season so we play hard and for ourselves.”

Xavier will play Friday at 9:30 p.m.