Musketeers Remain Undefeated, Top Michigan, 61-58

Monday, December 5

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Xavier University

6-0

Michigan

7-2

Michigan

Xavier

Musketeers Remain Undefeated, Top Michigan, 61-58

12.05.16 | Women's Basketball

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Kindell Fincher scored a career high 17 points Monday night

By: Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - After eight ties and nine lead changes, Xavier women's basketball defeated Michigan, 61-58, on Monday night at Cintas Center. The 58 points were a season low for the Wolverines (7-2) as Michigan entered the game averaging 86.4 points per game - the eighth highest scoring offense in the nation.

The Musketeers (6-0) had three players score double digits, led by Kindell Fincher's career-high 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting. The sophomore guard finished the game with a career-high of five three pointers.

Xavier went on a 12-3 run in the first quarter led by Fincher's six points to take a 16-13 advantage. Fincher ended the first quarter with a team-high eight points. The Musketeers opened the second quarter going on an 8-2 run led by Raeshaun Gaffney's six points and two steals.

Neither team led by more than two possessions as two squads played to a 28-28 tie at the break. The Musketeers were led by Gaffney's nine points and two steals and Leah Schaefer's five rebounds.

The Musketeers went on a 10-2 run to close the third quarter led by Maddison Blackwell's four points. During that run, the Musketeers shot 4-for-6 from field-goal range and 2-for-3 from behind the arc. Michigan led 46-44 heading into the final quarter.

To open the fourth quarter, the Musketeers extended the lead with help from Fincher's back-to-back wide open threes. Xavier went on a 13-5 run fueled by Fincher's nine points, creating Xavier's largest lead of the game 57-51, at the 4:07 mark. Five straight points from Katelynn Flaherty gave Michigan a 58-57 lead with just over a minute left in regulation before an Imani Partlow on the next possession put the Musketeers back on top. Xavier sank two free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Blackwell finished with her sixth career double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Gaffney added 14 points on 5-for-13 shooting.

Xavier outrebounded Michigan 46-32 and outscored the Wolverines in the paint 28-22. Schaefer also added 10 rebounds for the Musketeers.

The Musketeers head to North Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 8 to take on Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Xavier will return home after the New Year on Jan. 2, beginning their home conference schedule against St. John's.