Musketeers can’t replicate March magic, fall to Illinois in first round of tournament, 86-73
Updated: 12:07 AM EDT Mar 22, 2025
The Xavier Musketeers were not able to make March magic happen twice, as their 2024/25 season came to a close in a 86-73 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini. Leading by five at halftime, Illinois put together an 8-0 run in the opening stages of the second half to push their advantage to 48-37.The Musketeers responded with a mini-run 7-2 run of their own to pull within four points of the Illini, at 50-44, but that would be as close as the Musketeers got.Illinois went on a tear in the middle stages of the half, exploding for a 19-8 run to all but put the game out of reach, racing out to a 69-52 lead before Jerome Hunter stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer, even if the relief from the Illini offensive assault was temporary.For the second time in this tournament, Xavier did not go away quietly, pulling within eight points after made layups by Dailyn Swain and Dayvon McKnight and an old-fashioned three-point play by Swain.The 11-2 Muskie run made for a 76-68 game, but a Will Riley three ended a nearly three-minute Illini scoreless drought and pushed Illinois’ lead back to double digits.Xavier’s two ensuing possessions both ended in a turnover—a steal at mid-court and a blocked shot—all but killing the momentum the Musketeers had built over the previous three minutes.Illinois finished the game going a perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line. After shooting less than 40% from the floor in the first half (38.2%), the Musketeers finished the game barely above that threshold The Illini opened the game missing each of their first four shots, but corrected course quickly to take a 17-14 lead at the first media timeout.Over the next seven or so minutes, the Musketeers slowly chipped away at the lead when a Dante Maddox Jr. three-pointer pulled Xavier within a point, 28-27, with 6:48 to play in the first half.From there, the Illini rattled off a 7-0 run, with Swain ending the stretch with a three to stop the bleeding, and pull the Musketeers within five, 35-30.Illinois closed the half on a 10-5 run, taking a 40-35 lead into the halftime locker room, but it could have been a tie game at the end of 20 minutes. Inside the half’s final seconds, Ryan Conwell missed a layup, that would have tied the game at 37-37.Instead, Illinois took Conwell’s miss and drove down the court, with Kylan Boswell making a three at the buzzer, making for a five-point halftime lead.The Musketeers remained within striking distance at halftime despite shooting less than 40% from the floor (38.2%) and attempting only four free throws (only two of which were made). Swain led all scorers, with 27 points, hitting 10 of his 17 shot attempts, including a 3-for-5 night behind the three-point arc. He finished two rebounds shy of a double-double and added three assists to his evening.Conwell and McKnight also finished in double figures, with both scoring 12 points.Four Illini finished with double-digit point totals: Riley (22), Tomislav Ivisic (20), Kasparas Jakucionis (16) and Kylan Boswell.Jakucionis came one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing the night with nine boards and 10 assists.Xavier’s season ends with a 22-12 overall record. The Illini will play the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday in the second round of the men’s NCAA tournament.
MILWAUKEE —The Xavier Musketeers were not able to make March magic happen twice, as their 2024/25 season came to a close in a 86-73 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini.
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Leading by five at halftime, Illinois put together an 8-0 run in the opening stages of the second half to push their advantage to 48-37.
The Musketeers responded with a mini-run 7-2 run of their own to pull within four points of the Illini, at 50-44, but that would be as close as the Musketeers got.
Illinois went on a tear in the middle stages of the half, exploding for a 19-8 run to all but put the game out of reach, racing out to a 69-52 lead before Jerome Hunter stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer, even if the relief from the Illini offensive assault was temporary.
For the second time in this tournament, Xavier did not go away quietly, pulling within eight points after made layups by Dailyn Swain and Dayvon McKnight and an old-fashioned three-point play by Swain.
The 11-2 Muskie run made for a 76-68 game, but a Will Riley three ended a nearly three-minute Illini scoreless drought and pushed Illinois’ lead back to double digits.
Xavier’s two ensuing possessions both ended in a turnover—a steal at mid-court and a blocked shot—all but killing the momentum the Musketeers had built over the previous three minutes.
Illinois finished the game going a perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line. After shooting less than 40% from the floor in the first half (38.2%), the Musketeers finished the game barely above that threshold
The Illini opened the game missing each of their first four shots, but corrected course quickly to take a 17-14 lead at the first media timeout.
Over the next seven or so minutes, the Musketeers slowly chipped away at the lead when a Dante Maddox Jr. three-pointer pulled Xavier within a point, 28-27, with 6:48 to play in the first half.
From there, the Illini rattled off a 7-0 run, with Swain ending the stretch with a three to stop the bleeding, and pull the Musketeers within five, 35-30.
Illinois closed the half on a 10-5 run, taking a 40-35 lead into the halftime locker room, but it could have been a tie game at the end of 20 minutes. Inside the half’s final seconds, Ryan Conwell missed a layup, that would have tied the game at 37-37.
Instead, Illinois took Conwell’s miss and drove down the court, with Kylan Boswell making a three at the buzzer, making for a five-point halftime lead.
The Musketeers remained within striking distance at halftime despite shooting less than 40% from the floor (38.2%) and attempting only four free throws (only two of which were made).
Swain led all scorers, with 27 points, hitting 10 of his 17 shot attempts, including a 3-for-5 night behind the three-point arc. He finished two rebounds shy of a double-double and added three assists to his evening.
Conwell and McKnight also finished in double figures, with both scoring 12 points.
Four Illini finished with double-digit point totals: Riley (22), Tomislav Ivisic (20), Kasparas Jakucionis (16) and Kylan Boswell.
Jakucionis came one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing the night with nine boards and 10 assists.
Xavier’s season ends with a 22-12 overall record. The Illini will play the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday in the second round of the men’s NCAA tournament.
