For the first time since Xavier has entered the Big East Conference they were able to cut down the nets as Conference Champions. Xavier now 26-4 defeated the Providence Friars 84-74 to gain their 14th conference win of they year and keep them one game ahead of Conference rival Villanova for the #1 spot.
The Musketeers were lead in scoring by senior Trevon Bluiett with 23 points in his last game at the Cintas Center while shooting 6/12 from the floor and 3/6 from three. Fellow Seniors J.P. Macura had just 6 points but also fouled out in the game and Sean O'Mara had 10 points 6 rebounds to help the Musketeers to vicotry. The Musketeers also saw big production from point guard Quentin Goodin with 18 points.
Providence fought very hard in this game taking Xavier down to the wire but ultimately Ed Cooley's team fell short. Maleik White and Alpha Diallo lead the Friars in scoring with a combined 28 points between the two of them. Currently the Friars are 18-12 and 9-8 in Big East play, though ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi sees Providence as one of the last 4 in.
Xavier next has a matchup with DePaul this Saturday at 12:00PM in a game where coach Chris Mack said he wants his team to be better than they were today. After that, it's on to New York for the Big East Tournament where Xavier looks to seal their fate as a #1 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
