The replay | Xavier trails all game and storms back to beat DePaul

NEW YORK – Xavier trailed DePaul for more than 36 minutes on Thursday night in a quarterfinal game in the Big East Conference Tournament.

But the Musketeers pulled a rabbit out of their hat and came all the way back to beat the Blue Demons, 89-84, in front of a wild Madison Square Garden crowd.

Xavier took an 81-80 lead with two minutes left. That was its first lead since it was 3-2.

Colby Jones willed the Musketeers to the finish line. Jones scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half. Every time Xavier needed a basket, Jones was there.

Jack Nunge had a massive game as well with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Musketeers, now 24-8, will face the winner of Creighton and Villanova on Friday night at 9 p.m. in the semifinals.

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DePaul's holding on, but Xavier's in striking distance | DePaul 80, Xavier 77, 3:38 2H

Colby Jones just fought for an offensive rebound, made the putback and got fouled. He'll have a chance to make it a two-point game at the line after the final media timeout.

DePaul star Umoja Gibson continues to give Xavier fits with a game-high 22 points, but Gibson has four fouls.

Quick 6-0 run gives Xavier life | DePaul 73, Xavier 71, 5:53 left

Jack Nunge just missed a shot at the rim. After DePaul got the rebound, Nunge poked the ball loose and it found its way to Colby Jones, who drilled a 3-pointer.

This is as close as it's been in awhile for Xavier.

Xavier can't sustain momentum | DePaul 71, Xavier 65, 7:59 2H

After cutting the deficit to 67-64, DePaul's answered right back to regain some comfort.

The Musketeers have seven team fouls so DePaul will be in the bonus for the rest of the game.

This is crunch time for Xavier. If the Musketeers can't find a way to string together some stops it will be quick Big East Tournament for the Musketeers.

A 7-0 Xavier run gives the Musketeers some life | DePaul 61, Xavier 56, 12:23 2H

Xavier's put together one of its best stretches of the game and after a 7-0 run, DePaul needs a timeout.

It was a Colby Jones jumper, a bucket and the foul from Desmond Claude, and a tough finish inside from Jack Nunge, who's up to 16 points.

This is the most momentum Xavier's had since the opening tip of the game. Musketeers need to capitalize on it.

DePaul keeps making shots | DePaul 61, Xavier 51, 13:46 2H

The Musketeers can't close the gap because DePaul's not missing shots.

After going 20-of-29 from the field in the first half, the Blue Demons are 6-of-8 in the second half.

Unless something changes defensively for Xavier, it's going to be difficult for the Musketeers to climb back into this game.

Foul trouble creeps in for both teams | DePaul 55, Xavier 46, 15:59 2H

Colby Jones and Jerome Hunter each have three fouls. DePaul star Umoja Gibson also has three fouls.

The deficit remains nine points for Xavier. Every time it's looked like a sliver of momentum for Xavier, DePaul answers with its shot-making.

The Blue Demons are 3-for-4 from the field to start the second half. Xavier's 2-for-8. DePaul already has four team fouls in the second half. If Xavier continues to attack, the Musketeers might be able to use the free-throw line to get back in this game.

Xavier's first-half defense was a disaster | DePaul 49, Xavier 40, halftime

Xavier just let DePaul shoot 20-of-29 from the field with seven 3-pointers in the first half.

DePaul's 49 points are the most allowed by Xavier in the first half this season.

The Musketeers look flat defensively, repeatedly getting caught on ball screens or beat off the dribble.

Xavier's offense has kept the Musketeers in the game, going 14-of-24 from the field, 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-8 at the foul line.

But the offense isn't the problem for the Musketeers. Umoja Gibson leads the Blue Demons with 13 points. DePaul has four other players besides Gibson with at least six points already.

Xavier's led by Jack Nunge's 14 points. Souley Boum has 10 and Adam Kunkel has seven.

Colby Jones and Jerome Hunter each have two fouls.

The next 20 minutes will say a lot about Xavier's response and its defense.

Xavier trying to claw back into it | DePaul 39, Xavier 31, 3:54 1H

The Musketeers have got the deficit back to single digits and Jack Nunge's heading to the free-throw line because Xavier's in the bonus for the rest of the half.

DePaul hasn't scored in the last 2:06, showing some signs that the offense is cooling off a bit.

Souley Boum's finally gotten involved and has eight points. Nunge leads Xavier with 10.

If Xavier can be effective and use these final four minutes to find some momentum it could translate to the second half.

DePaul remains on fire with four 3-pointers | DePaul 34, Xavier 22, 7:40 1H

The Blue Demons are a scorching 14-of-18 from the field. Xavier can't stop the Blue Demons.

Umoja Gibson leads DePaul with 10 points. Xavier's tried to guard Gibson with Colby Jones, Desmond Claude and Souley Boum, and none of them have worked out well.

Xavier's 9-of-14 from the field, but the defense has been nonexistent.

The Musketeers need to use these last eight minutes to find anything resembling momentum.

Xavier's defense continues to struggle | DePaul 23, Xavier 14, 11:20 1H

Xavier's having trouble getting stops. DePaul's 10-of-12 from the field and the Musketeers have five turnovers.

Souley Boum has yet to score for Xavier and he's only attempted one shot.

The Musketeers are getting beat off the dribble and caught on DePaul's ball screens.

Jack Nunge leads Xavier with eight points. No one else has more than two points.

Xavier comes out flat, DePaul's hot | Blue Demons lead the Musketeers 15-10, 15:14 1H

Xavier's defense hasn't been up to par over the first few minutes. The Blue Demons are 6-of-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.

Jack Nunge's off to a great start with eight points and a pair of 3-pointers, but the Musketeers aren't getting the job done on defense.

Three early turnovers for Xavier have stolen a little of the Musketeers' rhythm offensively.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Big East Tournament: Recap of Xavier beating DePaul