Aijänen's Career Night Leads Xavier Past Providence, 68-59

Friday, January 19

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Xavier University

9-10 (2-6)

Providence

8-12 (1-7)

Providence

Xavier

Aijänen's Career Night Leads Xavier Past Providence, 68-59

01.19.18 | Women's Basketball

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

The Musketeers snap a six-game losing streak and record another conference win

By: Isabel Hamilton, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Senior Anniina Äijänen recorded her first double-double by scoring a career-high 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds on Friday night in the Musketeers' 69-58 BIG EAST win against Providence.

The Musketeers (9-10, 2-6 BIG EAST) snapped a six-game losing streak, while the Friars (8-12, 1-7 BIG EAST) dropped their fifth straight game.

THE STORYLINES

• Xavier came out strong to open the game by scoring the game's first six points. They outscored the Friars, 22-7, in the first quarter and achieved their first double-digit lead at the 3:30 mark where they led 13-3. Jada Byrd led the Musketeers with eight points during the quarter.

• Providence got on the board first and held Xavier scoreless from the 9:16-4:36 mark, of the second quarter but Xavier finally got on board with a lay-up by Anniina Äijänen. Each team ended up scoring 12 points during the quarter. Na'Teshia Owens made a half-court shot at the buzzer to give Xavier a 34-19 lead going into the half.

• Äijänen paced the Musketeers with nine points and five rebounds in the first half. The Musketeers held a 19-15 advantage on the glass at the break.

• The Friars outscored the Musketeers, 23-13, to close Xavier's lead to 47-42 at the end of the third quarter. A three-pointer by Providence at the 4:30 mark of the quarter got them within eight points and it was the first time Xavier's lead was in single digits since the 3:16 mark of the first quarter.

• Xavier outscored Providence, 20-11, in the final quarter and Äijänen led the Musketeers with eight points during the quarter. The Musketeers opened the quarter with a 12-0 run capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Fincher and Äijänen to regain a double-digit lead at the 5:58 mark. Providence answered with an 8-0 run of its own from the 4:24 mark to the 1:54 mark to make the score 64-57, but Xavier held on to win the game, 68-59.

NOTABLES

• Anniina Äijänen recorded her first career double-double by scoring 19 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. She went 8-for-11 from the field and 3-for-6 from behind the arc.

• Three Musketeers scored in double figures with Äijänen scoring 19 points, Kindell Fincher scoring 14 points and Jada Byrd scoring 11 points.

• Xavier tied its record of most points scored in the first quarter by scoring 22 points. The last game in which they scored 22 points was on November 22, 2017 against Minnesota.

• The Musketeers never trailed during the entire game and their largest lead came at the 5:58 mark of the fourth quarter where they led by 18 points.

• Xavier out-rebounded Providence, 35-28, with Äijänen recording 11 rebounds and Imani Partlow recording six.

UP NEXT

• Xavier hosts Creighton on Monday, January 22 for a 12 p.m. tip-off.