CINCINNATI – The Gavitt Tipoff Games concluded with Xavier and DePaul earning victories on November 18 while Providence and Marquette nailed down wins for a 4-0 night for league teams.
The BIG EAST went 6-2 in Gavitt Games contests against the Big 10.
In an in-state matchup that had not been played since 2007, Xavier defeated No. 19 Ohio State 71-65 at a sold-out Cintas Center. Xavier led wire to wire, but the Musketeers (4-0) needed Paul Scruggs’ clutch play down the stretch. The guard scored 10 of Xavier’s final 12 points. Forward Jack Nunge helped with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
In the Gavitt finale, DePaul used 3-point marksmanship along with some critical free throws in a 73-70 win over Rutgers. The Blue Demons (3-0) made their last six shot attempts – four were from 3-point range. David Jones of DePaul scored a game-high 22 points and teammate Javon Freeman-Liberty contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Providence is 4-0 after a 69-58 home win against New Hampshire. Newcomer Al Durham and Nate Watson continue to shine. Durham scored 19 points and Watson had 17 points and four rebounds. Noah Horchler added 10 points and 12 boards. PC excelled defensively, holding UNH to 39.3 shooting from the field.
Marquette rallied to beat Mississippi 78-72 in the first round of the Charleston Classic. The Golden Eagles (4-0) trailed by 12 points in the first half, but recovered after halftime. Darryl Morsell continues to lead offensively, scoring 22 points. He has scored at least 20 points in all four games. Justin Lewis tallied a career-high 21 points.
Friday’s slate starts with Creighton playing Brown at 3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN3 in the first round of the Paradise Jam. Georgetown hosts Siena at 6:30 on FS2. Marquette meets West Virginia in the second round of the Charleston Classic at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
BIG EAST teams own a collective 31-4 record going into Friday’s schedule.