Marquette Clinches No. 1 Seed in BIG EAST Tournament with 79-53 Victory over Xavier

MILWAUKEE – The 11^th-ranked Marquette women's basketball team bested Xavier on Sunday afternoon in a 79-53 victory. With the win, the Golden Eagles clinch the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament and are guaranteed at least a share of the regular season title.

Five Golden Eagles (23-5, 14-2) scored in the double digits, led by senior Natisha Hiedeman with 21 points. Allazia Blockton netted 16, Danielle King added 15 points and seven assists, Amani Wilborn had 13 and Selena Lott added 10.

Hiedeman and Blockton each recorded double-doubles, which was the second time this season that two Golden Eagles acquired double-doubles in a game, the last being in the matchup against Georgetown on Jan. 13 (Erika Davenport and Natisha Hiedeman). It was Hiedeman's fourth of the season and seventh of her career, and Blockton's first of the season and twenty-first of her career.

Lauren Van Kleunen was one rebound shy of her career-high 12 rebounds she pulled down against Butler, adding 11 to the effort. Hiedeman also had three blocks, a season high, which added to the six swats MU had on the day.

The Musketeers (11-16, 2-14) were led by sophomore A'riana Gray, who put up 21 points and eight rebounds, and Aaliyah Dunham who dished out five assists and notched 10 points.

Marquette held the lead for 37 minutes of the game, with three lead changes early in the contest. Xavier was held to shooting 38.6% from the field and 23.8% from distance, while Marquette had a field goal percentage of 47.5% and 44.8% from beyond the arc.

The Golden Eagles conclude the BIG EAST regular season with a pair of road contests beginning Friday, Mar. 1 in Omaha, Nebraska against Creighton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on the BIG EAST Digital Network.