Musketeers Drop BIG EAST Home Opener Against St. John’s, 67-63

Sunday, January 7

Cincinnati, Ohio

2 p.m.

Xavier University

8-7,1-3

St. John's

9-7,2-3

St. John's

Xavier

Musketeers Drop BIG EAST Home Opener Against St. John’s, 67-63

01.07.18 | Women's Basketball

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Ashley Gomez had a career-high 10 points on Sunday afternoon

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier women's basketball dropped its BIG EAST home opener on Sunday afternoon, falling to St. John's, 67-63, at Cintas Center.

The Musketeers moved to 8-7 (1-3 BIG EAST), while the Red Storm improved to 9-7 (2-3 BIG EAST).

THE STORYLINES

• Xavier opened the game by hitting its first three shots, taking an 8-2 lead – its largest lead of the contest. The Musketeers led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter before the Red Storm outscored Xavier, 22-16, in the second frame behind a .615 (8-for-13) field-goal percentage. St. John's led Xavier, 31-27, at the break.

• Imani Partlow led Xavier with seven points on 3-for-4 shooting at the half. Three Xavier players had three rebounds as the Musketeers held a 20-15 advantage on the glass.

• St. John's outscored Xavier, 17-16, in the third quarter to take a 48-43 lead. Xavier opened the final quarter on a 5-0 run to tie the game at 50, the fifth tie of the game.

• The Red Storm responded by using an 11-2 run, taking their largest lead of the game, 61-52, with 3:17 left in regulation. Xavier battled back to get within two, 63-61, on an Aaliyah Dunham three pointer with 30 seconds on the clock, but St. John's went 4-for-5 from the foul line down the stretch to seal the win.

NOTABLES

• Jada Byrd led Xavier with 13 points, her second straight game in double figures. The senior guard also had a team-high four assists to go along with four rebounds.

• Ashley Gomez added a career-high 10 points on 3-for-7 shooting. Imani Partlow added nine points and Na'Teshia Owens chipped in eight.

• A'riana Gray paced the Musketeers on the glass with seven rebounds. St. John's won the battle on the boards, 35-32.

• Xavier made 11 three pointers, its sixth game of the year with 10 or more three pointers.

• The Musketeers held a 24-5 advantage in bench points. St. John's posted a 16-5 advantage in points off of turnovers.

UP NEXT

• Xavier continues BIG EAST play on Wednesday, Jan. 10 against Seton Hall. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW