Musketeers Fall at Villanova, 58-55

Friday, February 26

Villanova, Pa.

9 P.M.

Xavier University

(17-11, 8-9BE)

Villanova University

(18-10, 11-6BE)

Xavier

Villanova

02.27.16 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Maddison Blackwell scored a game-high 21 points in the loss

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In a game that featured 12 ties and 13 lead changes, Villanova prevailed down the stretch as they topped Xavier, 58-55, at The Pavilion on Friday night. Neither team led by more than six points throughout the contest.

The Musketeers have now dropped five games in a row, moving to 17-11 (8-9 BIG EAST). The Wildcats improved to 18-10 (11-6 BIG EAST).

Tied at 52 with just over a minute left in regulation, Andrianna Hahn - the reigning USBWA National Freshman of the Week - scored six of her team-high 15 points to seal the Wildcat win. She was 1-for-1 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe down the stretch.

Xavier had a chance to tie the game with 11 seconds left on the clock, but a Kavunaa Edwards steal on the Musketeers' in-bounds play spoiled their chances. Following two Hahn free throws, Briana Glover made a layup as time expired for the final ledger, 58-55.

Maddison Blackwell scored a game-high 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting. The junior forward was the lone Xavier player in double figures. She added four rebounds and two assists.

Glover finished with nine points, while Aliyah Zantt added eight and Jenna Crittendon had seven.

Xavier held a 40-38 advantage on the glass with Crittendon pulling down a game-high nine rebounds. Raeshaun Gaffney added six.

The Musketeers finished the game 8-for-12 from the foul line, while Villanova was 9-for-12. Neither team shot the ball well from behind the arc as they combined to go 6-for-34.

Both teams scored more than half of their points in the paint with Xavier scoring 34 and Villanova adding 30. Xavier also scored 18 points off of nine offense rebounds.

Edwards and Samantha Wilkes both added 10 points for the Wildcats. Edwards also had nine rebounds, while Wilkes had eight.

Xavier closes regular-season action at Georgetown on Sunday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is slated for noon with the game being aired on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

The winner of Sunday's game will receive an opening-round bye in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament as the No. 5 seed or No. 6 seed.