Women's Hoops Holds Off La Salle, Wins 57-53

Feb. 23, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore forward April Phillips led four Musketeers in double-figures with 15 points and freshman center Ta'Shia Phillips registered yet another double-double to lead the Xavier University women's basketball team past La Salle 57-53 on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena in Philadelphia.  With the win, Xavier improves to 20-7 on the year and 10-2 in Atlantic 10 play.  La Salle slips to 13-14 overall, 4-8 in league action. 

Xavier has now tallied a 20-win season for the 11^th time in program history, including eight of the last 10 years.  The Musketeers have won at least 20 games in five of head coach Kevin McGuff's six seasons at XU. 

Ta'Shia Phillips scored 14 points and corralled 13 rebounds to notch her 16^th double-double of the year; the most of any freshman in the nation.  Her 14 points came on 7-of-12 shooting to mark the 19^th time this season the A-10's leading field goal percentage performer has shot at least 50 percent from the field in a game. 

April Phillips was outstanding on Saturday, scoring 15 points and snaring eight rebounds in only 19 foul-plagued minutes. 

Junior forward Tudy Reed added 13 points tied a career high with eight rebounds and hit four critical free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.  Sophomore forward Amber Harris also found herself in early foul trouble but managed to chip in with 11 points and two assists.     

 

La Salle quickly erased a six-point halftime deficit by sprinting out to a 13-6 run over the first 6:50 of the second half and took a 37-36 lead after Jamie Walsh connected on a jumper. 

The Musketeers would quickly reclaim the lead on a pair of April Phillips free throws and she converted on a driving lay-up on the ensuing possession to extend XU's lead to 40-37 at the 10:50 mark.  

It was nip and tuck for the remainder as XU was unable to pull away from the Explorers but iced the game with solid free throw shooting down the stretch. 

Freshman point guard Special Jennings converted on a crucial possession for XU.  Xavier led 50-48 with under a minute to go and Jennings buried an 18-foot jumper with the shot clock winding down to give the Musketeers a two possession edge.    

Xavier dominated down low, out-rebounding La Salle 47-to-28 overall and 14-to-3 on the offensive glass.  The Musketeers were also solid defensively, holding La Salle to a chilly 37.7 percent from the field. 

Xavier turned the ball over 15 times in the contest but committed only four second-half miscues.   

XU got off to a good start and scored the game's first six points, two coming from Harris prior to her foul problems.

The Explorers would respond though and knotted the game up at 21 when Carlene Hightower nailed a 3-pointer at the 3:20 mark.  However, Xavier would hold La Salle to only one basket for the remainder of the half and ended the first stanza on a 9-3 spurt to take a 30-24 lead at the break. 

The Musketeers will look to avenge one of their two conference losses when Dayton travels down I-75 for a Wednesday showdown at Cintas Center.  Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will mark XU's home finale.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a free Blue Blob Bobblebody courtesy of Wing Eyecare.  Additionally, fans who bring a non-perishable food item will get in free.   

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Players Mentioned

Amber Harris

Special Jennings

April Phillips

Ta'Shia Phillips

Tudy Reed

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