The Marquette University women's basketball team delivered a triumphant performance on Senior Night, comfortably defeating Xavier University 62-37 at the Al McGuire Center on February 27, 2025. This victory marked the Golden Eagles' fifth consecutive win and their 20th of the season, bringing their record to 20-8, with 12 wins against BIG EAST opponents.
Lee Volker and Skylar Forbes led the team with standout performances, each scoring 15 points. Forbes added eight rebounds, four blocks, and tied her career-high with three three-pointers. Volker matched her activity with two threes and two assists. Halle Vice contributed significantly as well, finishing the night with 12 points and five rebounds, showcasing the depth of talent on the Golden Eagles roster.
The game began with Marquette showing dominance, quickly establishing a 19-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. This marked one of the lowest first-quarter outputs for Xavier this season, as they struggled to find their rhythm against the Golden Eagles' tenacious defense. The Golden Eagles capitalized on this by forcing the Musketeers to commit 10 turnovers within the first ten minutes and 18 by halftime. Marquette’s exceptional defensive gameplay was evident as they led for 39 minutes and 14 seconds of the game.
Despite their struggles, Xavier managed to see their leading scorer, Meri Kanerva, contribute 12 points and four assists, but overall, the team faced challenges, particularly with the Golden Eagles’ imposing defense. This 37-point total became the fewest points ever scored by Xavier against any BIG EAST opponent, highlighting Marquette's defensive prowess.
Noteworthy moments from the night included the pre-game honoring of seniors, Lee Volker and Abbey Cracknell, commemorated for their contributions to the program. Coach Cara Consuegra expressed pride not only for the victory but also for the careers of the honored individuals, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. Consuegra praised her team's ability to execute their game plan effectively, emphasizing the importance of this game as they approached the regular season's conclusion.
The game also added to Marquette's impressive streak against Xavier, as this victory underscored their dominance with 18 consecutive wins over the Musketeers, marking the longest active win-streak against any BIG EAST opponent. Further, Marquette's 26 turnovers forced during this game represent the highest total for any opponent this season, showcasing their aggressive defensive strategy.
With this win, the Golden Eagles completed their home schedule with a remarkable edge of 13-2, which ties the best home record for any first-year head coach in the program's history, previously set by Megan Duffy back in the 2019-20 season. This achievement is especially notable for Coach Consuegra, as it reflects her ability to lift the team effectively during her first coaching tenure.
Looking forward, the Golden Eagles will take their momentum to UConn for their regular-season finale, where they hope to close out the season with another victory and strong positioning for the upcoming conference tournament.
Marquette fans were thrilled with the performance, with many engaging via social media platforms to celebrate the team's success. They can continue to follow the women’s basketball program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb), as well as liking their Facebook page (MarquetteWBB) for updates and highlights throughout the season.
This memorable evening for Marquette women’s basketball served not just as a tribute to its seniors but also as proof of how far the program has progressed under new leadership, capturing both the hearts and ambitions of its community as they advance through the exciting college basketball season.