Musketeers Defeat Butler in BIG EAST Opener, 69-62

Friday, December 29

Indianapolis, Ind.

7 p.m.

Xavier University

8-4, 1-0BE

Butler

8-5, 0-1BE

Xavier

Butler

Musketeers Defeat Butler in BIG EAST Opener, 69-62

12.29.17 | Women's Basketball

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Junior Kindell Fincher scored a team-high 20 points on Friday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

INDIANAPOLIS – Xavier women's basketball opened BIG EAST action with a 69-62 win over Butler on Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Musketeers moved to 8-4 (1-0 BIG EAST), while the Bulldogs dropped to 8-5 (0-1 BIG EAST).

THE STORYLINES

• Xavier led from start to finish on Friday night. The Musketeers limited the Bulldogs to a .154 field-goal percentage in the opening stanza, posting a 19-7 advantage after one quarter of play. The Bulldogs bounced back to outscore Xavier, 27-17, in the second quarter to make the score 36-34 at the break.

• Kindell Fincher led Xavier with 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting at the break, while Imani Partlow added eight points. Anniina Äijänen paced the Musketeers on the glass with four rebounds as Xavier held a 21-12 advantage on the boards.

• Xavier hit 70 percent of its shot attempts (7-for-10) in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs, 22-10, in the frame. The Musketeers led by as many as 17 points, 55-38, with 2:12 on the clock in the third quarter.

• Butler battled back to get within three, 65-62, with 33 seconds left in regulation before Kindell Fincher knocked down four straight free throws to seal the win.

NOTABLES

• Kindell Fincher scored a season-high 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting. The junior guard added seven rebounds and a team-high three 3-pointers.

• Imani Partlow scored 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting to go along with six rebounds and one steal. She was also 2-for-2 from behind the arc.

• Anniina Äijänen added 14 points with 12 points coming in the second half. The senior forward also pulled down seven rebounds.

• The Musketeers hit 11 three pointers, their fifth game of the season with 10 or more three pointers.

• Xavier forced 14 turnovers, converting the miscues into 26 points. The Musketeers also held a 41-33 advantage on the glass.

• Xavier moved to 3-2 all-time in BIG EAST openers.

UP NEXT

• Xavier continues BIG EAST action at Georgetown on Jan. 2. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS