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Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
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Western Michigan
XU Holds Off Western Michigan, 69-62
11.24.06 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2006
Box Score
ST. THOMAS, V.I. - Senior captain Suntana Granderson scored 17 points to lead four Musketeers in double-figures as the Xavier University women's basketball team held off Western Michigan, 69-62, in day two action of the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, V.I. With the win, XU improves to 5-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season while the Broncos slip to 1-5.
Xavier will play for the Paradise Jam St. John Division Championship tomorrow against Marquette. Game time is set for 4:30 AST, 3:30 eastern. All action takes place at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center and fans can follow the action via live internet radio broadcast on GOXAVIER.com.
Granderson's 17 came on 6-of-16 shooting and she also tied a season high with five 3-point field goals. Senior guard Miranda Green scored 13 points, dropped three dimes and posted three steals on the evening.
Freshman forward Amber Harris scored 11 points and snared eight rebounds while senior center DeAnna Mason chipped in with a career-high 10 points.
The Musketeers extended their 37-24 halftime lead to 19 points, 51-32, with 15:30 remaining in regulation after Granderson drilled a 3-pointer.
However, Xavier went cold while the Broncos heated up and jumped out to a 25-9 run over the next 10:20 and pulled to within three points, 60-57, with 3:30 to go.
Green had the answer though when she hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and Granderson drilled a 3-pointer with 1:30 left to give XU a 66-59 cushion.
XU shot a season-low 38.5 percent (25-of-65) from the floor including a frigid 33.3 percent in the second half. XU also struggled from the free throw line for the second consecutive night, hitting on 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the charity stripe.
Xavier did win the battle of the boards by a 41-to-36 count and held a 19-to-12 advantage on the offensive glass. The Musketeers also held WMU to 39.6 shooting and forced the Broncos into 21 turnovers, which XU converted into 14 points.
The Musketeers trailed 6-4 early but Granderson sparked a 9-0 run when she drained a 3-pointer from the wing with 16:10 remaining in the first half. Granderson's trey gave XU a 7-6 lead it would not relinquish and Xavier extended that lead to seven points, 13-6, when Mason converted on a lay-up at the 12:20 mark.
WMU would not go away though and trailed 23-17 with 6:10 left in the first session. However, the Musketeers seized control of the game with an 11-1 run over the next 3:30 and took a commanding 34-18 lead when Harris made a backdoor lay-up at 2:40.
