Blackwell, Gaffney Lead Musketeers Past Friars

Friday, February 5

Cincinnati, Ohio

8 P.M.

Xavier University

16-6, 7-4

Providence College

4-18, 0-12

Providence

Xavier

Blackwell, Gaffney Lead Musketeers Past Friars

02.05.16 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The two players combined for 32 points and 10 rebounds

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Maddison Blackwell and Raeshaun Gaffney combined for 32 points on Friday night, leading the Musketeers to a 72-47 win over Providence at Cintas Center.

Xavier moved to 16-6 (7-4 BIG EAST) with the win, while the Friars dropped to 4-18 (0-12 BIG EAST). The Musketeers improved to 5-1 in the all-time series against Providence.

Blackwell was 8-for-13 from the floor to lead all scorers with 17 points. Gaffney added 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting with three 3-pointers, while Aliyah Zantt rounded out the Xavier double-figure scorers with 11 points.

Xavier opened the game on an 11-4 run, holding the Friars without a field goal for just over six minutes of play. An Allegra Botteghi three-point play at the 3:55 mark made the score 11-6 and snapped the Musketeers streak of holding an opponent without a field goal to nearly 17 and half minutes dating back to the Butler game. Xavier held its opponents to 0-for-23 shooting during that span.

Blackwell finished the first quarter with 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting as the Musketeers held a 21-14 advantage after one quarter of play. The Musketeers never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 17 points in the first half at the 2:20 mark on a Gaffney layup before taking a 38-21 lead into the locker room.

Xavier held a 22-13 advantage on the glass in the first half, led by Blackwell and Crittendon who both had five rebounds. Blackwell had 14 points at intermission and Gaffney had 10.

The Musketeers led by as many as 27 points, 72-45, before a Providence layup with 33 seconds left in regulation made the final score, 72-47. Xavier held an opponent to under 50 points for the second time in as many games the fifth time this season.

Xavier held a 46-35 advantage on the glass, moving to 11-0 when out rebounding its opponents. Crittendon led the Musketeers with seven rebounds, while three other XU players had six.

Xavier out scored Providence, 46-18, in the paint and converted 18 turnovers into 21 points. The Musketeers also had 14 fastbreak points in the win.

Xavier posted a .475 field-goal percentage, while limiting the Friars to a 29.3 percent clip from the floor. Xavier was also 13-for-25 from the foul line.

Defensively, Xavier had 12 steals and seven blocks - led by Blackwell who had four steals and two blocks. Crittendon and Zantt both added two blocks.

Botteghi led the Friars with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Xavier returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 7 against Creighton. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.