Balanced Offense Leads Xavier to 70-47 Win Over Bison

Saturday, December 19

CINCINNATI, OHIO

5 P.M.

Xavier University

8-2

Howard

2-11

Howard

Xavier

Balanced Offense Leads Xavier to 70-47 Win Over Bison

12.19.15 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Nine Musketeers scored in the win, Xavier improved to 8-2

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball used a balanced offense on Saturday evening as the Musketeers topped Howard, 70-47, in non-conference action at Cintas Center. Nine Musketeers scored in the victory, including three players in double figures.

The Musketeers won their third straight game, improving to 8-2 on the year with one non-conference game remaining on the schedule. Howard dropped to 2-11 on the year.

Glover led the Musketeers with 12 points and nine rebounds, nearly recording her third career double-double. The Mason, Ohio, native was 5-for-7 from the floor and dished out a career-high four assists.

Raeshaun Gaffney added 11 points, while Aliyah Zantt chipped in 10 to round out the double figure Xavier scorers. Maddison Blackwell added a season-high nine points and Jenna Crittendon and Imani Partlow both chipped in eight.

Xavier held a 50-27 advantage on the glass, led by Glover's nine rebounds. Blackwell also had a season-high eight rebounds in the win. The Musketeers also had a season-high 11 steals, paced by Zantt who matched her career high with six.

Xavier opened the game on an 18-6 run before a Tajzhane Dopson three pointer as time expired made the score 18-9 at the conclusion of the first period. The Musketeers went 5-for-8 from the floor to open the second period and take their largest lead of the half, 29-14.

An Allese Morrison layup got the Bison within nine, 35-26, with 1:23 left before intermission, but back-to-back baskets by Blackwell gave the Musketeers a 39-26 advantage at the break.

Nine Musketeers scored in the first half, paced by Glover's seven points. Blackwell grabbed team-high five rebounds as Xavier held a 31-11 advantage on the glass at the half.

The Musketeers used a 7-0 run to open the second half and take their first 20-point lead of the game, 46-26. Xavier maintained its double-figure advantage for the remainder of the contest and led by as many as 26, 69-43, with 1:44 left in regulation.

Xavier hit 46.8 percent of its shot attempts (29-for-62) and 66.7 percent of its free throws (10-for-15). Defensively, the Musketeers held Howard to a .264 field-goal percentage.

Xavier scored 20 points off of 21 turnovers and scored 14 second-chance points. The Musketeers also held a 25-8 advantage in points off the bench.

Sydni Johnson and Victoria Gonzales led Howard with 15 points each. Gonzales also had a team-high nine rebounds.

Xavier returns to action on Monday, Dec. 21 against Kennesaw State. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Cintas Center.

NOTES: The 70 points by Xavier is a new season high… the Musketeers have had 50 or more rebounds in a game four times this season… Xavier moved to 7--0 when out rebounding its opponents… Xavier dished out a season-high 20 assists in the win… Xavier has held its opponents to 47 or fewer points in a game three times this season… the 29 made field goals is a new season high… Maddison Blackwell had a season-high nine points and eight rebounds… Xavier had a season-high 11 steals, paced by Zantt who matched her career high with six.