Stuck one game back on Villanova in the Big East standings, all Xavier had to do was go on the road and take care business against Creighton. The Bluejays had other plans.
Creighton’s defense locked down in the second half, helping them pull away from the Musketeers down the stretch, winning 70-56. Their defense held Trevon Bluiett, a contender for Big East Player of the Year, to just four points on the night–he shot 2-of-10 from the field and missed all six three-point shots he took. It was just the second time all year that Bluiett failed to reach double-figures in scoring, the other time coming in a win over Cincinnati.
Maurice Waton Jr. dominated, pouring in 32 points for the Bluejays.
With the loss, Xavier dropped two games behind Villanova in the Big East standings, with games left at Butler, Georgetown, and Seton Hall, plus home games against Providence, Villanova, and Creighton. At 9-3 in conference play, the time is now for Xavier to prove once again that they belong in the conversation of elite teams in college basketball.
That starts on Saturday when they travel to Indianapolis.
Remy Abell dropped 21 points in the first feeling, helping the Musketeers overcome their first loss of the season against Villanova just nights before. Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones both struggled to break out, while defensively, the Bulldogs let five Xavier players reach double-figures offensively.
At this point in the season, Butler may need this one more for its NCAA Tournament hopes, but Xavier has its eyes on bigger accomplishments thanks to their successes and for them to get their, winning on Saturday night would be a big step in the right direction.
