PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Dante Maddox Jr. made a significant impact for the Xavier Musketeers, scoring 26 points off the bench to secure a 91-82 victory against the Providence Friars.

Maddox exhibited an impressive shooting performance, hitting 7 of 11 attempts, including an outstanding 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, and netting all 6 of his free throws. The Musketeers, now holding a record of 15-10 and 7-7 in the Big East Conference, also saw Zach Freemantle contribute 23 points, shooting 7 of 15 from the field. His efforts included sinking 3 of 5 three-pointers and converting 6 of 7 free throws, alongside grabbing nine rebounds. Ryan Conwell added to the scoring with 17 points, hitting 4 of his 12 shots, including 2 three-pointers, while also going 7 for 8 from the foul line.

On the other side, the Friars were led by Bensley Joseph, who recorded 15 points, paired with seven rebounds and seven assists. Justyn Fernandez also made a significant contribution with another 15 points, while Oswin Erhunmwunse added 14 points to the scoreboard.

The Musketeers took control of the game midway through the first half, grabbing the lead with just over 10 minutes left and never relinquishing it. Maddox was pivotal in establishing an early lead, scoring 16 points in the first half and helping his team to a 15-point advantage at halftime, with a score of 45-30. Although Providence managed to outscore Xavier by six points in the second half, the Musketeers maintained their lead and clinched the win.

Overall, Xavier’s performance showcased their resilience and scoring depth, allowing them to edge out the Friars in a closely contested game.