Byrd, Partlow Lead Musketeers to Third Straight Win

Thursday, November 16

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Xavier University

Grambling State

Byrd, Partlow Lead Musketeers to Third Straight Win

11.16.17 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

Women’s basketball defeats Grambling State, 72-67, on Thursday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Jada Byrd and Imani Partlow combined for 34 points on Thursday night, leading the Xavier women's basketball team to a 72-67 victory over Grambling State at Cintas Center.

The Musketeers moved to 3-0 on the year, while the Lady Tigers dropped to 1-2.

THE STORYLINES

• Grambling had its only lead, 12-11, in the first quarter before the Musketeers closed the frame on a 9-3 run to take a 20-14 advantage. Xavier maintained its lead for the remainder of the half, taking a 39-33 advantage into the locker room.

• The Lady Tigers battled back in the third quarter to tie the game at 48 before an Aaliyah Dunham three pointer with four seconds on the clock gave Xavier a 51-48 advantage. The Musketeers carried the momentum into the final quarter, scoring six straight points to open the frame - capping an 8-0 run on a Jada Byrd layup.

• Xavier led by as many as 12 points, 66-54, with 3:56 left in regulation. Grambling got within five twice down the stretch, but the Musketeers went 7-for-11 from the foul line to seal the win.

NOTABLES

• Jada Byrd scored a career-high 18 points on 5-for-7 shooting. The senior guard was also 7-for-8 from the foul line. She added four rebounds and one steal.

• Imani Partlow posted her third career double-double, recording 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds (matching her career high). The junior forward added two steals and one assist.

• Freshman Aaliyah Dunham scored in double figures for the second consecutive game, posting 11 points on 2-for-4 shooting with two 3-pointers. She was also 5-for-6 from the foul line.

• Xavier held a 34-30 advantage on the glass and had 10 steals, turning the miscues into 16 points. A'riana Gray added seven rebounds in 13 minutes of action off the bench.

• Xavier hit 10 three pointers for the second time this season with Ashley Gomez leading the Musketeers with three. The sophomore guard scored a career-high nine points to go along with three assists.

• Xavier hit 46.7 percent of its shot attempts, including a .500 clip in the second half (10-for-20). Xavier was also 20-for-28 from the foul line. Defensively, Xavier held the Lady Tigers to a .393 field-goal percentage.

UP NEXT

• Xavier travels to Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Tip-off is slated for 9 p.m. ET.