CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Two teams looking to rebound from tough conference losses will meet when the Marquette Golden Eagles visit the Xavier Musketeers in a Big East women’s basketball matchup on Thursday. The New Year’s Day contest at Cintas Center features teams with identical 8-5 overall records. Both are seeking their first conference win after opening league play with a defeat. Marquette fell 73-66 to Saint John’s on Monday, while Xavier dropped a 75-55 decision at Seton Hall on Sunday. The matchup hinges on the backcourt play of Marquette’s Jaidynn Mason against the frontcourt presence of Xavier’s Vivien Nejašmić. Mason, a dynamic guard, is coming off a 14-point, 4-assist performance against Saint John’s and has been a key distributor, recording six or seven assists in three of her last five games. She will be tasked with jump-starting a Golden Eagles offense that managed just 53 points in a late-December loss to Connecticut. For Xavier, the offense flows through Nejašmić. The forward has been a consistent scorer, pouring in 24 points against Butler and 15 with six rebounds in the loss to Seton Hall. Her ability to score inside will test a Marquette defense that has been vulnerable at times. Both teams have shown stark contrasts in performance. Marquette’s five losses have come by an average of 22.2 points, but its eight wins have been secured by an average margin of 28.5 points. Similarly, Xavier’s losses have been lopsided, including a 104-39 defeat to UConn, but it boasts a solid non-conference win over crosstown rival Cincinnati. History adds another layer, as the Musketeers will aim to defend their home court where they are 5-2 this season. The Golden Eagles, beginning a challenging stretch of conference play, need a road victory to build momentum before hosting Villanova on Jan. 4. Tipoff is set for Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati. The game will be broadcast on a conference television network.