Martin, Christon lead newcomer Xavier to 68-65 win over Marquette to reach Big East semifinals

Xavier's Justin Martin (20) protects the ball from Marquette's Todd Mayo, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

Xavier's Semaj Christon, front left, passes away from Marquette's Jamil Wilson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

Justin Martin scored 19 points and Semaj Christon added 18 to lead Xavier to a 68-65 victory over Marquette on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament.

The third-seeded Musketeers (21-11) will face second-seeded and 14th-ranked Creighton in the semifinals on Friday night. The Bluejays advanced with an 84-62 victory over DePaul.

Both Creighton and Xavier were making their debuts in the Big East tournament.

Matt Stainbrook scored down low with 4:32 to play to give Xavier a 57-51 lead and that would be the Musketeers' last field goal of the game as they went 11 of 14 from the free throw line to hold off sixth-seeded Marquette (17-15), which lost its fourth straight.

Deonte Burton had a career-high 23 points for the Golden Eagles and Todd Mayo added 21.