MBB Minute – In Tuesday’s BIG EAST action, Xavier and Providence improved to 3-0 while Villanova lost a local battle on the road.
 
Xavier opened the first half of its game against Jackson State with an 11-0 run and started the second half with a 9-0 streak in a 94-57 triumph at Cintas Center. Zach Fremantle led six players in double figures with 21 points. He shot 8-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. The Musketeers made 16-of-31 from beyond the arc.
 
Providence trailed Hampton 30-22 at halftime before rallying for a 60-51 victory at the AMP. A 15-4 run early in the second half helped the Friars gain control. Jayden Pierre and Bensley Joseph each netted 13 points. Pierre added six rebounds. PC held Hampton to 28.6 percent shooting from the floor.
 
Villanova dropped an 83-76 decision at Saint Joseph’s in a Philadelphia Big 5 Classic match. The Wildcats (2-2) led 60-59 with 6:38 to play before the Hawks prevailed in the stretch run. VU’s Eric Dixon posted game highs of 24 points and nine rebounds. Jhamir Brickus added 22 points.
 
Wednesday’s schedule has three home games for BIG EAST teams and one neutral site contest. St. John’s hosts Wagner at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS2. FS1 has a doubleheader with UConn hosting Le Moyne at 7 p.m. followed by Houston Christian at Creighton at 9 p.m. The neutral site game has Seton Hall meeting Hofstra at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. The game can be seen on MSG Networks.