Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
(15-11, 7-8BE)
Villanova
(16-10,10-4BE)
Musketeers Fall at Villanova on Sunday Afternoon
02.15.15 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Box Score 
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Xavier women’s basketball dropped a 64-48 road contest at Villanova on Sunday afternoon at The Pavilion.
The Musketeers (15-11, 7-8 BIG EAST) outscored the Wildcats (16-10, 10-4 BIG EAST) in the second period, 33-28, but could not overcome an early deficit. Raeshaun Gaffney and Maleeka Kynard both scored all their points in the second half, combining for 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
Gaffney and Kynard both also combined to go 6-of-6 from the charity stripe in the second half. Xavier went 11-of-12 from the foul line the second period after not attempting any free throws in the first stanza.
The Wildcats hit five of their first eight shot attempts to take an early 11-6 lead at the 15:24 mark. Villanova never trailed in the game and took its first double-figure lead, 16-6, with 11:32 before halftime.
Xavier cut its deficit to seven, 18-11, at the 9:45 mark before the Wildcats closed the half on an 18-4 run to make the score 36-15 at the break. The Musketeers held a 14-12 advantage on the glass at intermission as Aliyah Zantt led XU with four rebounds. The junior guard also led XU with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting at the break.
Villanova maintained its double-figure advantage in the second period, leading by as many as 24 points three times. The Wildcats finished the game going 23-of-53 from the floor and 10-of-22 from behind the arc.
Zantt paced the Xavier offense with a season-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Anniina Äijänen and Gaffney both finished with eight, while Briana Glover added seven.
The Musketeers won the battle on the glass, 30-26, led by Gaffney and Leah Schaefer who both pulled down five rebounds. Caroline Coyer led the Wildcats with seven rebounds.
Caroline Coyer also led Villanova in scoring with a game-high 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers. She also added a game-high six assists. Katherine Coyer also chipped in 13 points for Villanova.
Xavier finished the game going 18-of-44 from the floor and 1-of-6 from behind the arc.
The Musketeers return to action on Sunday, Feb. 22 at Butler. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
