Musketeers Upend Paladins, 75-62, in West Palm Beach Invitational Opener

Sunday, December 17

West Palm Beach, Fla.

6 p.m.

Xavier University

6-3

Furman

8-4

Furman

Xavier

Musketeers Upend Paladins, 75-62, in West Palm Beach Invitational Opener

12.17.17 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Season Stats (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Freshman A’riana Gray had nine points, 11 rebounds and three steals

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Xavier women's basketball opened West Palm Beach Invitational action with a 75-62 win over Furman at the Student Life Center on the campus of Kaiser University.

The Musketeers moved to 6-3 on the year, while the Paladins dropped to 8-4.

THE STORYLINES

• Xavier never trailed in the first half and led by as many as 12 points, 25-13, with 8:26 left before intermission. Furman battled back by closing the half on a 19-7 run to tie the game at 32 going into the break.

• Anniina Äijänen led the Musketeers with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting in the first half. Xavier held a 21-11 advantage on the glass with A'riana Gray pacing the Musketeers with six rebounds.

• The Paladins took their only lead of the game, 36-34, at the 7:47 mark in the third quarter before the Musketeers outscored Furman, 18-8, to end the quarter. Xavier never relinquished its lead and pushed its advantage out to 15 points (68-53) with 2:31 left in the game.

NOTABLES

• Aaliyah Dunham scored a team-high 14 points to go along with six assists, three rebounds and two steals. The freshman guard scored all of her points in the second half.

• Kindell Fincher also scored all of her points in the second half as the junior guard finished with seven points.

• Anniina Äijänen and Princess Stewart also scored in double figures as the Musketeers had three players in double figures for only the second time this season. Äijänen scored 12 points - all in the first half - to go along with three rebounds. Stewart scored in double figures for the second time in as many games, finishing with 10 points.

• Xavier held a 39-25 advantage on the glass, paced by A'riana Gray's game-high 11 rebounds - her fourth game of the year with 10 or more rebounds. The freshman forward added nine points and a game-high three steals.

• After not attempting a free throw in the first half, the Musketeers went 14-for-19 from the charity stripe in the second half. Aaliyah Dunham paced the Musketeers at the line, going 7-for-9.

• Xavier matched its season high in assists with 16. The Musketeers also had 16 against Wake Forest on Dec. 4.

• Xavier held a 35-5 advantage in bench points. The Musketeers also forced 18 turnovers, converting the miscues into 20 points.

• Na'Teshia Owens finished with eight points, three rebounds and two assists. Deja Ross chipped in six points and five rebounds.

UP NEXT

• West Palm Beach Invitational action continues on Monday, Dec. 18 against No. 16 Missouri. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.