Musketeers Move to 6-2, Defeat Highlanders on Wednesday Night

Wednesday, December 9

CINCINNATI, OHIO

7 P.M.

Xavier University

6-2

Radford University

3-4

Radford

Xavier

Musketeers Move to 6-2, Defeat Highlanders on Wednesday Night

12.09.15 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Three Xavier players score in double figures, Musketeers post season-high .471 field-goal percentage

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Senior Aliyah Zantt led three Musketeers in double figures with a game-high 17 points as Xavier defeated Radford, 63-56, on Wednesday night at Cintas Center.

The Musketeers moved to 6-2 with the win, while the Highlanders dropped to 3-4 on the year.

Zantt finished the game 5-for-10 from the floor and 3-for-5 from behind arc. Raeshaun Gaffney added 16 points and Briana Glover chipped in 12 as the Musketeers had three players in double figures for the first time this season.

Xavier posted a season-high .471 field-goal percentage and went 11-for-12 from the charity stripe. Gaffney went 5-for-6 from the foul line, while Zantt was 4-for-4.

Tied at 49 with 7:01 left in regulation, the Musketeers went on a 14-7 run on 3-for-5 shooting to close the game. Xavier was also 7-for-8 from the foul line to seal the victory.

Zantt hit back-to-back baskets to open the game as the Musketeers led 4-0 in the opening minutes of the game. Xavier never trailed in the opening period and led 16-12 at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Radford used an 8-3 run to open the second period to take a one-point lead before a Zantt three pointer and an Imani Partlow jumper on consecutive possessions put the Musketeers ahead by four, 24-20, with 5:37 left in the half. Xavier maintained its lead for the remainder of the half, taking a 31-29 lead into the locker room.

The Musketeers hit 50 percent of their shot attempts in the first half, matching its season-high for best field-goal percentage in a half. Zantt led all scorers with 10 points at intermission. The Highlanders held a 19-15 advantage on the glass at halftime.

Radford finished the game with a 34-31 advantage on the glass, paced by Janayla White's game-high 10 rebounds. Anniina Äijänen led Xavier with six rebounds, while Glover added five.

Xavier had 15 assists in the win and committed a season-low nine turnovers. The Musketeers forced 14 Radford turnovers, converting the miscues into 12 points.
White led four Radford players with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Jen Falconer added five points and a game-high six assists.

Xavier returns to action in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout against rival Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 13. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.