Xavier improves to 8-0 with buzzer-beater against Marquette

The Xavier Musketeers improved to 8-0 for the first time since 2015-16 on Sunday, with a 91-88 victory at the buzzer against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

The game, like most of the Big East’s contests on Sunday, was a back and forth contest, chock full of entertainment and lead changes, of which there were 13.

The biggest story of the game was the final 30 seconds. With Xavier up by four with 25 seconds to play, Koby McEwen drew contact on a three-point attempt. The shot fell into the hoop and McEwen connected on his free throw attempt to tie the game at 88, in what was a nightmare scenario for Xavier given the situation.

The Musketeers responded as best as they possibly could, though, getting Paul Scruggs a great look at a game-winning layup... which he came up short on. The rebound got tipped around and ended up in the hands of Belmont transfer Adam Kunkle. Let’s go to the videotape.

Kunkle connected on what has to be college basketball’s best buzzer-beater so far this season, pushing the Musketeers to 8-0 and giving Xavier its first Big East win of the season.

Paul Scruggs was excellent throughout, leading the Musketeers with 29 points. Koby McEwen led Marquette with 20.

Both Xavier and Marquette return to action on Wednesday, with the Musketeers facing Creighton and the Golden Eagles meeting up with Villanova.