No. 10/9 Marquette Travels to Xavier to Begin Three-Game Road Swing

MILWAUKEE – A seven-game winning streak to begin BIG EAST play has sent the Marquette women's basketball team to new heights as the Golden Eagles established new program--best rankings once again, checking in at No. 10 in the AP Top-25 poll and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Marquette will put those rankings to the test traveling to Xavier on Friday, Jan. 25 for a 6 p.m. CT tip at the Cintas Center.

John Fanta (play-by-play) and Matt Schumacker (analyst) will have the call on the BIG EAST Digital Network from Cincinnati.

This weekend will mark the final two BIG EAST opponents the Golden Eagles (16-3, 7-0) will face before working through the second half of league play. Marquette is defeating opponents by a +26.0 margin and averaging 86.9 points per conference game.

The Golden Eagles are led by BIG EAST Player of the Week Natisha Hiedeman who is posting 18.6 points, 6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. The conference accolade also marked the third straight weekly award for Hiedeman and her second BIG EAST Player of the Week honor.

Marquette will embark on a three-game road trip following the Xavier game, including a trip to Indianapolis to take on Butler on Sunday, Jan. 27. Tip is set for 1 p.m. CT and will air live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

OPPONENT
XAVIER (10-8, 1-6 BIG EAST): The Musketeers' lone conference victory came on Jan. 6 in overtime fashion, 63-62, against Seton Hall. Last week, Xavier took Creighton into overtime on Friday before falling 66-62 and dropped a contest at Providence 71-58 on Sunday. The Musketeers are led by A'riana Gray tallying 14.3 points per game and averaging 11.4 rebounds each contest, the latter being a league-best.

Following the matchup against Marquette, which will also be Mental Health Awareness Night at the Cintas Center, the Musketeers will welcome RV DePaul to Cincinnati on Sunday.

THE SERIES
Friday will mark the 20th overall meeting between the Golden Eagles and Xavier. Marquette owns the series edge 12-7 and is riding a five-game win streak.