Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
7-3
Cincinnati
1-7
Musketeers Defeat Bearcats, 72-71, in Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout
12.14.14 | Women's Basketball
Box Score 
| Box Score
​CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball used balanced scoring and a season-high 10 three pointers to defeat rival Cincinnati, 72-71, in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena. The Musketeers (7-3) had eight players who scored eight or more points in the victory.
The Bearcats (1-7) had their largest lead of the game, 53-46, with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Musketeers responded by going on a 13-4 run over the next four minutes capped by a Jenna Crittendon three pointer to regain a 59-57 lead they would never relinquish.
Xavier extended its lead to five, 66-61, with two minutes on the clock before the Bearcats hit their next two shot attempts to get within one, 66-65. Another three pointer by Crittendon in the closing minute along with free throws by Maleeka Kynard and Raeshaun Gaffney sealed the 72-71 win for Xavier.
The Musketeers hit 50 percent of their shot attempts in the second period after posting a .316 field-goal percentage in the first stanza. Maddison Blackwell and Gaffney both scored all of their points in the second half. Gaffney finished with 10 points and a game-high six assists while Blackwell added nine points.
The first half had three ties and one lead change. Xavier opened the contest on a 6-2 run and had its largest lead of the game, 22-14, at the 8:22 mark. Cincinnati ended the period on a 17-7 run to take a 31-29 lead into the locker room.
Kynard finished with a team-high 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting in only 17 minutes of action. Marquia Turner added nine points while Crittendon, Briana Glover, Leah Schaefer and Aliyah Zantt all chipped in eight.
Xavier won the battle on the glass, 31-29. Glover led the Musketeers with eight rebounds while Crittendon grabbed six.
The Musketeers had 12 steals in the contest, the fourth time XU has had 10 or more steals in a game this season. XU converted the miscues into 15 points.
Ana Owens scored a game-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting for Cincinnati. Marley Hill added 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
The Musketeers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 20 as they play host to Lipscomb. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Cintas Center.
