Xavier had a chance Saturday to take a step forward at home against Creighton, but it ended up a step in the wrong direction.
The 77-65 loss sends the Musketeers to 12-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big East with a trip to Marquette next week staring them down.
It's the second loss in a row for a Xavier team that hadn't lost consecutive games all season.
In its last two games against Seton Hall and Creighton, Xavier's allowed a combined 88 points in the second half.
For about the first 15 minutes Saturday – in the friendly confines of Cintas Center – Xavier looked ready to compete with Creighton for 40 minutes.