Final Score: Xavier 69, Villanova 63
 
Overview
 
Xavier used a 12-2 spurt in the final two minutes to erase a 58-55 Villanova lead and give Xavier a 69-63 win over the Wildcats on Tuesday night in Cincinnati. Ryan Conwell did the most damage for the Musketeers, finishing with 34 points.
 
"He just really got it going," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "He made some tough ones but we just didn't stay connected to him."
 
Eric Dixon and Jordan Longino led Villanova with 18 points each.
 
X Started Hot
 
Xavier converted its first five field goal attempts – including a pair from beyond the 3-point arc – to grab a 13-4 lead over the Wildcats in the first 5:39 of game action at the Cintas Center. Meanwhile, the 'Cats struggled to find the range, connecting on 2-of-8 to open the game that included a scoring drought that lasted 4:10.
 
An Enoch Boakye dunk off a Wooga Poplar feed got the 'Cats back into the scoring column. Eric Dixon followed with a corner 3-pointer and Jordan Longino came up with a steal and score to pull Villanova back within 13-11.
 
When Longino sank a 3-pointer, the Wildcats were in front 18-16 on the strength of a 14-3 burst.
 
D Became a Factor
 
Over the final 10 minutes of the half, Villanova's stifling defense was the story. The Wildcats held Xavier to one field goal over the final 6:51 of the period. That, and the offense of the squad's two longest tenured members, Dixon and Longino, helped Villanova put together an 8-0 surge and take a 32-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
Dixon led VU with 11 first half points while Longino added 10 points. The Wildcats also owned an 18-15 advantage on the glass with Boakye's five caroms leading the way.
 
X Charges Back
 
The Musketeers opened the second half much like they did the first, outscoring the Wildcats 10-5 over the first 4:32 of the period to shave the Villanova lead to 37-34. Xavier was 3-of-4 from the field while Nova was 1-of-7 in that stretch. When Ryan Conwell sank a 3-pointer on the first possession after an official timeout the game was tied at 37.
 
A Dixon 3-pointer in transition put the Wildcats back on top. With Longino and Dixon fueling the offense, Villanova built a 50-45 lead basket from Dailyn Swain at the 7:22 mark closed the margin to 50-47.
 
Dixon dropped in a triple to push the advantage to 54-48 but Conwell answered with a deep 3-pointer for Xavier. With 4:48 on the clock, the Wildcats held a 54-51 lead. Then came another Swain drive, this one for a slam, to shave the lead to 54-53. Villanova got a basket from Longino before two free throws by Zach Freemantle brought Xavier to within 56-55.
 
Boakye picked up a loose ball and slammed it home with 1:48 to play before Conwell drained another triple and was fouled. He sank the free throw and Xavier moved on top 59-58.
A Wildcats' turnover gave Xavier possession with 1:18 remaining. The Musketeers capitalized again and soon held a 64-60 edge.
 
The final count was 69-63.
 
What They Said
 
Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune: "Give Xavier a lot of credit. They're a good team. They can score in the halfcourt and in transition."
 
Neptune on the late push by Xavier: "It's the Big East. You're on the road going against a good team. Things aren't going to go your way all the time. It's got to be a full 40 minutes. Our turnovers were a factor. I think they did a good job getting into our guys and forced us into some areas we didn't want to be in. They were very physical and forced some key turnovers."
 
Up Next
 
The Wildcats host their first game of 2024-25 at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia Friday night against Providence. Villanova will welcome home its Men's Basketball alumni, highlighted by the celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the 1985 NCAA championship.