The focal point of Xavier's defense was obvious: try to contain the nation's leading scorer. Wildcats' forward Eric Dixon averages 25.3 points per game and Xavier frequently met the veteran forward with double teams near the rim to try to get the ball out of his hands.

Tonight, we finally broke through. I'm proud of our guys." After five losses by six points or less since Dec. 5, Xavier earns a hard-fought Quadrant 2 victory and pulls within one game of .500 (3-4) in Big East play before a tough stretch to end January.

Xavier's next seven games are against teams currently over .500 in Big East play, beginning Tuesday when Villanova visits Cintas Center.

Xavier head coach Sean Miller called the defeat the "low point" of the Musketeers' season. Xavier gave up 20 offensive rebounds for the first time in 12 years and it was the program's first double-digit loss at Cintas Center under Miller since 2006.