On January 11, 2025, the Xavier Musketeers secured a 77-63 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Key Performances:
• Zach Freemantle (Xavier): Led the Musketeers with 20 points and 10 rebounds, contributing significantly off the bench.
• Ryan Conwell (Xavier): Added 19 points, bolstering Xavier’s offensive efforts.
• Jerome Hunter (Xavier): Chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds, including a pivotal tip-in just before halftime.
• CJ Gunn (DePaul): Scored 16 points, with 11 coming in the second half, and led the team with seven rebounds.
• Jacob Meyer (DePaul): Contributed 14 points, including an early three-pointer that ended a scoring drought.
• NJ Benson (DePaul): Tallied 13 points, marking his fourth double-figure scoring game in the past five contests.
Game Highlights:
Xavier’s defense was instrumental, holding DePaul scoreless during critical stretches. A 21-3 run late in the first half allowed the Musketeers to take a 38-23 lead into halftime. Freemantle’s performance off the bench was particularly impactful, with nine points and seven rebounds in the first half.
DePaul’s struggles in the Big East continued, extending their conference losing streak to 38 games, dating back to January 18, 2023. Despite a trio of double-figure scorers, the Blue Demons were unable to overcome Xavier’s defensive pressure and efficient shooting.
Team Statistics:
• Xavier: Shot 48.1% from the field, demonstrating offensive efficiency.
• DePaul: Managed a 39.6% shooting percentage, struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities.
The Musketeers’ ability to capitalize on DePaul’s scoring droughts and maintain defensive intensity throughout the game was key to their victory. This win improved Xavier’s record to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the Big East, while DePaul fell to 9-8 overall and 0-6 in conference play.
