Led by double digit scoring efforts from Trevon Bluiett, James Farr and Edmond Sumner, the Xavier Musketeers walked out of the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Saturday with a 74-66 victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles. 

In what was an ugly game, the play from those three Musketeer standouts was a highlight. Bluiett's 18 points, Farr's 16 and Sumner's 15 were all vital to the play of the number seven team in the nation, who were made to work hard by the Golden Eagles. 

Marquette jumps out early 

It has been a couple of years since the Bradley Center played host to a high stakes college basketball game. While Saturday's affair likely won't make or break either team's season, it still had the best atmosphere the arena has seen since the Golden Eagles clinched a share of the Big East crown against Notre Dame back in the spring of 2013. 

Buoyed by the raucous home support, Marquette came flying out of the gates. By the first media timeout, junior Luke Fischer already had six points and two rebounds, and it was not long before they had built up a 15-6 lead. The Musketeers had no answer to the frontcourt duo of Fischer and freshman phenom Henry Ellenson, who wound up leading all scorers with 20 points.

1-3-1 zone proves the key

Although they began the game looking like worldbeaters, a strategic change from Xavier head coach Chris Mack quickly brought Marquette's dominance to a halt. After seeing Fischer and Ellenson dominate the game's opening minutes, he switched from a man-to-man defense to a 1-3-1 zone, which has given Marquette fits all season.

It did again on Saturday.

Xavier began getting stops on the defensive end, and after cutting the deficit to 18-11 embarked on a 19-0 run. As the small pockets of Xavier fans around the arena began to make themselves heard, those clad in blue and gold were forced to turn their minds to Saturday evening's NFL Playoffs Divisional Round game between the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.

Marquette keeps it tight

The Golden Eagles eventually found the basket again, and were able to keep the Musketeers in striking distance as the halftime interval approached. Xavier couldn't grow their lead beyond 10 or 12 points, but Marquette could never get closer than within three possessions. 

That trend continued to play our over the course of the second half; Marquette never got within seven points, but also never trailed by more than 16. 

Fischer, who had begun the game so well, dealt with foul trouble for almost of the rest of it. Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski responded by bringing on Wally Ellenson, Henry's brother. Wally proved himself an impact substitute, and was all over the floor looking the force turnovers, win loose balls and get to the free throw line.

Crucial shots from Myles Davis

He played a key role in a mini run from the Golden Eagles with just under eight minutes on the clock. A couple of timely rebounds saw them cut the lead to nine, which brought the crowd back into the game.

However, with the lead shrunk down to 58-49, Xavier guard Myles Davis stepped forward. Although scoreless up to that point, he drained clutch three-pointers on two of Xavier's next three possessions to kill the Marquette momentum.

Marquette never got within seven again.

What next?

The victory gives Xavier a fourth conference win, and they improve to 16-1 overall (4-1 Big East). Their attention will now turn to Tuesday night, when they host Georgetown. Meanwhile, Marquette falls to 12-6 overall (2-4 Big East), and will have to regroup before a stretch of thoroughly winnable games which begins on Wednesday night when DePaul travels to Milwaukee.