Zach Freemantle propelled Xavier to a statement 85-68 victory over DePaul on Saturday, solidifying their Big East Conference standings with a 16-10 season record. The Musketeers seized control early at Cincinnati's Cintas Center and never trailed after the 19:42 first-half mark.
Freemantle anchored the win with 14 first-half points and nine total rebounds, showcasing the versatility that’s made him central to Xavier’s postseason aspirations. Support came from Dailyn Swain (17 points, 8 assists) and Dayvion McKnight, who delivered a flawless 14-point performance highlighted by his clutch 10 second-half points.
The Blue Demons (11-15, 2-13 Big East) struggled to counter Xavier’s momentum despite CJ Gunn’s team-high 16 points. DePaul’s persistent defensive gaps became glaring as Xavier exploited them with:
- 55% field goal efficiency
- 18 points off turnovers
- 32 points in the paint
When we control the tempo early, we’re tough to beat, Xavier coach Sean Miller noted postgame. The Musketeers’ 45-31 halftime lead – their largest first-half margin this season – proved insurmountable despite Layden Blocker’s 12-point effort for DePaul.
With this win, Xavier strengthens its eighth-place Big East position ahead of critical matchups against Creighton and Marquette. Meanwhile, DePaul’s conference woes continue, having lost six consecutive games by double-digit margins.