Xavier kept its hopes alive for not only a Big East Tournament championship but, perhaps more importantly, a bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 68-65 quarterfinal victory over Marquette Thursday night at the Garden.
The third-seeded Musketeers improved to 21-11 in its first-ever game in the Big East Tournament. Justin Martin scored 19 points, and Semaj Christon added 18 for Xavier, which advances to meet second-seeded Creighton in one of Friday’s night’s semifinal games. Deonte Burton had 23 points for sixth-seeded Marquette, which likely ends its season at 17-15.
Marquette was in striking distance throughout and had a chance to tie the game late. But Todd Mayo hit the side rim on a 3-pointer from the corner with 11 seconds remaining, Xavier secured the rebound and sealed the outcome at the free-throw line.
The two teams had split the regular-season series with each winning at home. But Marquette had lost three straight entering the tournament, while Xavier snapped a two-game losing streak. Xavier won four Atlantic 10 Tournament titles before joining the Big East this season.