(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) CINCINNATI – The Marquette University men’s basketball team (9-17, 4-11 BIG EAST) continued conference play with a 96-88 loss at Xavier (13-12, 5-9 BIG EAST) at Cintas Center on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore forward Royce Parham finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds for his second-straight double-double and freshman guard Nigel James Jr. added 30 points and 12 assists for his first-career double-double. James Jr.’s 30-point effort was his third of the season.
The Golden Eagles opened the second half by chipping into Xavier’s double-digit advantage, eventual closing the gap to 87-83 with just over two minutes left in regulation. Unfortunately, the Musketeers were able to respond and convert missed MU layups into points at the other end and hang on for the win.
The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half and 51-35 at the intermission after the Musketeers knocked down 11 first-half 3-pointers and finished the opening 20 minutes shooting 50 percent from the floor overall and from distance. Marquette knocked down just 43.8 percent of its shots from the field prior to the intermission, with both James Jr. and Parham netting 10 points.
UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles return home to host St. John’s at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Feb. 18 on Al’s Night.
NOTABLES
- Senior forward Ben Gold played in his 132nd career game for Marquette to move into sixth all-time. Classmate Chase Ross has played in 128 and is now 10th at Marquette
- Michael Phillips II made his 15th 3-pointer of the season. All of his made field goals this season are from deep.
- James Jr.’s 12 assists marked a personal high
