Man, that Big East quarterfinal between Marquette and Xavier on March 13, 2025, at Madison Square Garden? Straight-up rollercoaster from whistle to whistle. Neither team was giving an inch — they both knew one tiny slip, and that was game over. It was tough, scrappy, with clutch shots popping up when you least expected ’em. Kam Jones from Marquette hit a huge personal milestone, while Xavier’s Ryan Conwell was just unstoppable, keeping his squad in it right until the very end.
Now, whether you watched the madness live or missed the whole thing and just wanna catch up, I’ve got you. We’re gonna break down all the player stats, highlight those jaw-dropping moments, and see how these two teams duked it out in this nail-biter. So buckle up — let’s get into the numbers and the story behind this epic battle.
Marquette vs Xavier — Match Player Stats
Marquette just barely edged out Xavier, 89-87, with Kam Jones straight-up owning the night. The guy put up 28 points and dished out 5 assists, showing up big when the game was on the line. Meanwhile, Ryan Conwell was on fire for Xavier, dropping a career-high 38 points and snagging 7 rebounds like a beast. Check out how these two and their crews stacked up on the stat sheet below:
| Player | Team | Points | FG Made-Attempted | 3PT % | Free Throws | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kam Jones | Marquette | 28 | 11-22 | 42.4% | 1-2 | 5 | 5 |
| Ryan Conwell | Xavier | 38 | 13-18 | 47.8% | 5-6 | 7 | 3 |
| Alexis Carter | Marquette | 15 | 6-12 | 33.3% | 2-3 | 8 | 4 |
| Marcus Simmons | Xavier | 12 | 5-10 | 40% | 1-2 | 5 | 2 |
Kam Jones wasn’t just scoring; he ran the team on the court, making smart passes and sinking big shots when the pressure was on. Conwell’s 38 points were impressive and kept Xavier close till the very end. Both guys showed toughness and skill.
Team Stats: Shooting, Boards, and Turnovers
It wasn’t just about individual stars. The teams also had different strengths. Marquette shot 48.5% overall, while Xavier was a bit better at 52.6%. But Marquette held the edge in ball security, giving the ball away only four times compared to Xavier’s 10. That mattered a lot in a game decided by two points.
| Stat | Marquette Golden Eagles | Xavier Musketeers |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 48.5% | 52.6% |
| Three Point % | 42.4% | 47.8% |
| Free Throw % | 84.6% | 84.2% |
| Total Rebounds | 27 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 10 |
| Points Off TO | 2 | 18 |
Xavier pulled down more rebounds, 36 to 27, but their turnovers hurt them, especially late in the game. Marquette’s smart ball handling and hot shooting from deep helped them keep just enough of a lead to win.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown & Game Flow
Right from the jump, this game was a back-and-forth battle. Marquette came out firing in the first quarter, grabbing a 23-18 lead. But Xavier wasn’t about to let them run away with it. They answered back in the second quarter with a burst of points that gave them a narrow 44-42 advantage going into halftime.
The third quarter was a nail-biter. Both teams kept pace, trading baskets and defensive stops with neither side pulling clear. Then came the fourth quarter — the real drama unfolded here. Kam Jones turned up the heat, dropping 14 points in those final 12 minutes. He nailed some clutch shots and set the tone for Marquette’s comeback.
When Marquette was down by eight midway through the last quarter, Jones took control. He led the charge, making smart decisions and helping his team slow the game down. Defensive stops at the right times helped them close out the game. Xavier kept fighting, but Jones’ late-game heroics and calm leadership helped Marquette sneak away with the win.
Check out how the scoring unfolded quarter by quarter:| Quarter | Marquette | Xavier |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 23 | 18 |
| Q2 | 19 | 26 |
| Q3 | 19 | 21 |
| Q4 | 28 | 22 |
| Final | 89 | 87 |
Kam Jones Scores 2,000th Career Point – Star Player Spotlight
Kam Jones hit a massive milestone tonight, hitting his 2,000th career point—yeah, that’s no joke. It shows just how solid and locked-in he’s been all through college. In this game, he dropped 28 points, shooting 11-for-22 from the floor and dishing out five assists. But don’t get it twisted — it wasn’t just about racking up points. Jones was also making plays for his teammates and keeping the whole offense clicking.
He was the driving force behind Marquette’s comeback in the second half. When the team was down by eight late in the game, Jones didn’t panic. Instead, he calmly hit big shots and made smart plays that lifted the whole team’s energy. His leadership was undeniable — he showed up when it mattered most.
As ESPN’s recap put it, “Jones is the heart and soul of Marquette. Tonight, he reminded everyone why, delivering in clutch moments and inspiring his teammates to finish strong.”
Xavier Musketeers’ Standout – Ryan Conwell’s Career Night
Ryan Conwell was on fire tonight, scoring 38 points on an impressive 13-of-18 shooting. He also made five of six free throws and pulled down seven boards, showing he can do a bit of everything. Conwell kept Xavier close, putting constant pressure on Marquette’s defense.
Even when foul trouble slowed him down, Conwell battled hard. The defense made a point to focus on him in the second half, forcing others to step up. Despite that, his scoring threat never faded, and his grit was evident every minute he was on the court.
It was a career night for Conwell — one that almost turned the tide for Xavier but just came up short in the final stretch.
Key Tactical Insights & Coaching Decisions
At halftime, Shaka Smart made some quick changes that really shifted things around. Marquette came out ready to shoot more threes, spreading out the defense and trying to get easier shots. That move helped them break free from Xavier’s early pressure and start controlling the game again.
Xavier’s defense started to fall apart a bit late in the game. They missed some key rotations and turned the ball over at the worst times. Those errors gave Marquette the chance to grab momentum and quickly close the gap on the scoreboard.
In the last few minutes, managing the clock was a big deal. Marquette slowed things down on offense, made sure they didn’t rush, and forced Xavier to take hurried shots. That careful time control helped Marquette keep their lead and seal the win.
NCAA Tournament Implications & Big East Context
This win is a big deal for Marquette’s NCAA chances. At 23-11, it really boosts their resume and should help them get a decent seed. Every win now counts so much, and this one definitely adds to their tournament strength.
For Xavier, things just got a bit harder. Sitting at 22-12, their spot in the tournament isn’t as secure anymore. They’ll need to win more games and hope for some breaks if they want to stay alive in the race.
The Big East standings are super tight right now. Marquette is just a step ahead, but teams like Villanova, Xavier, and Providence are hot on their heels. With the regular season wrapping up soon, every single game feels like it could change the whole picture.
Here’s a quick look at the Big East standings, showing how tight the top six teams are:
| Team | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Marquette | 23 | 11 |
| Villanova | 22 | 12 |
| Xavier | 22 | 12 |
| Providence | 20 | 14 |
| Seton Hall | 19 | 15 |
| Creighton | 18 | 16 |
Post-Game Reactions: Media, Coaches, and Fans
After the game, the talk was pretty loud. ESPN gave Kam Jones big praise, saying he showed up exactly when the team needed him most, calling his play “electric” and crucial. FOX Sports pointed out how Marquette stayed tough and made smart coaching moves. CBS Sports said Ryan Conwell kept Xavier in it until the very end.
Marquette’s coach put it simply: this win was about “trusting each other and sticking to the game plan, even when it got tough.” Xavier’s coach admitted it was a hard loss but stayed hopeful about their chances moving forward.
Fans on social media were really fired up. Lots of people cheered Jones as a real leader and praised Marquette’s comeback. Some were bummed for Xavier but respected the fight they showed. Overall, everyone agreed it was an intense, nail-biting game.
Full Box Score – Individual Stats
The box score tells the story of how each player made an impact for both teams. Kam Jones was Marquette’s top scorer, putting up 28 points while logging 38 minutes on the court. He shot just about half from the floor, hitting 11 out of 22 attempts, and nailed 3 shots from beyond the arc. Besides scoring, Jones dished out 5 assists and pulled down 6 rebounds, really doing a bit of everything.
Marcus Lee stepped up big time, dropping 15 points and hauling in 8 rebounds. Malik Thompson wasn’t far behind, putting up 12 points and locking down on defense all game long.
Over on Xavier’s side, Ryan Conwell was straight-up dominant. He poured in 38 points on sharp shooting—hitting 13 of 18 shots and knocking down 5 of 6 freebies. Plus, he fought hard for 7 rebounds, never giving an inch. Dante Harris chipped in too, with 14 points and 6 assists, doing everything he could to keep Xavier hanging in there. But honestly, Xavier’s bench just couldn’t match the fire Marquette brought. Still, a few role players got some key minutes and made their presence felt.
Here’s the detailed breakdown:
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | ||||||||
| Kam Jones | 38 | 28 | 11-22 | 3-7 | 3-4 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Marcus Lee | 34 | 15 | 6-11 | 0-1 | 3-5 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Malik Thompson | 28 | 12 | 5-10 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Xavier | ||||||||
| Ryan Conwell | 39 | 38 | 13-18 | 4-7 | 5-6 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Dante Harris | 33 | 14 | 6-14 | 2-6 | 0-0 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
If you’re interested in exploring more detailed breakdowns from recent NBA games, you might want to check out our full analysis of the Phoenix Suns vs Timberwolves match player stats. It’s packed with player performances, key turning points, and stats that matter—especially if you’re tracking playoff-level intensity.
Final Takeaways & What’s Next
This game boiled down to Kam Jones hitting those clutch shots and Marquette keeping their cool when it mattered most. Xavier fought tooth and nail, with Ryan Conwell lighting up the scoreboard like a man possessed, but Marquette’s late-game push was the difference-maker. Those last few minutes really showed how tiny coaching moves and clock management can flip the whole game.
Now, Marquette’s eyes are on the Big East Semifinals, probably going head-to-head with a tough Villanova squad. It’s going to be a war out there, but if Jones keeps playing like this, Marquette’s got a legit shot to go deep.
For Xavier, yeah, this loss stings hard. But the season isn’t over yet. They’ve got to shake it off fast and come back swinging. Honestly, the Big East race this year is straight-up crazy — every team is grinding, and nothing’s locked down till the very last buzzer.
Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at VCEMagazine.com, where he delivers in-depth coverage of the sports world — from player stats and game analytics to financial profiles of elite athletes. With a background in sports journalism and data analysis, Henry tracks performance trends and off-field ventures across major leagues like MLB, NFL, NBA, and international football.
Over the years, he has profiled top stars, broken down match-day metrics, and analyzed how athletes build wealth through contracts, sponsorships, and business ventures. His work bridges the gap between on-field performance and off-field financial strategy, helping fans understand the full picture of sports success.
Whether writing about a quarterback’s clutch stats or a baseball legend’s business empire, Henry’s focus is on accuracy, insight, and trusted storytelling.