Musketeers Fall in Overtime at Creighton on Friday Night

Friday, January 18

Omaha, Neb.

8 p.m.

Xavier University

10-7, 1-5BE

Creighton

10-8, 4-3BE

OT 1

Xavier

Creighton

Musketeers Fall in Overtime at Creighton on Friday Night

01.18.19 | Women's Basketball

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

Sophomore forward A'riana Gray led Xavier with 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

OMAHA, Neb. - Sophomore forward A'riana Gray posted her BIG EAST leading ninth double-double (23 points, 12 rebounds) on Friday night, but the Musketeers dropped a 66-62 overtime contest at Creighton. The Musketeers moved to 10-7 (1-5 BIG EAST), while the Bluejays improved to 10-8 (4-3 BIG EAST).

FIRST HALF

• Xavier opened the first quarter on a 10-6 run fueled by seven A'riana Gray points. Creighton responded by outscoring Xavier, 13-6, to take a 19-16 lead after one quarter of play.

• The Musketeers scored seven unanswered points capped by an Aaliyah Dunham three pointer to open the second quarter. Xavier outscored the Bluejays, 18-2, during the second quarter to take a 13-point lead (34-21) into the break. The Musketeers held the Bluejays without a field goal (0-for-4) in the frame.

• A'riana Gray led all scorers with 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting, while adding five steals and four rebounds. Creighton held a 20-15 advantage on the glass, but the Musketeers posted a 16-0 advantage in points off of turnovers. Xavier forced 11 miscues in the first half, while only committing one turnover.

SECOND HALF

• Creighton opened the second half by scoring seven unanswered points. The Bluejays pushed it to a 19-6 run, tying the game at 40-40 with 1:27 left in the third quarter. The Musketeers outscored the Bluejays, 4-2, to close the quarter on a Na'Teshia Owens free throw and a Deja Ross three pointer - making the score 44-42.

• Neither team led by more than two possessions in the fourth quarter. Xavier led by five points (54-49) with 1:22 left in regulation before the Bluejays closed the quarter on a 5-0 run capped by a pair of Audrey Faber free throws to tie the game and send it into overtime.

OVERTIME

• Creighton scored seven unanswered points to open the frame, taking a 61-54 lead and forcing a Xavier timeout. The Musketeers closed within three points on two occasions down the stretch. An A'riana Gray layup made it 65-62 with 10 seconds left in the game, but Creighton sealed the win with a free throw on the next possession.

NOTABLES

• Sophomore forward A'riana Gray was 7-for-23 from the floor, scoring 23 points - her third game of the season with 20 or more points. She added 13 rebounds, her 11th game of the season in double-figure rebounds. Gray also added a career-high seven steals as the Musketeers finished the game with 11 steals, the team's ninth game of the year with 10 or more steals.

• Junior guard Na'Teshia Owens posted 11 points, three assists and two steals in 23 minutes of action off the bench. Sophomore guard Aaliyah Dunham added eight points.

• Xavier made 12 three pointers in the game, the team's fifth game of the season with 10 or more three pointers. Seven different Xavier players hit a three pointer in the game.

• Creighton won the battle on the glass, 43-34. The Musketeers forced 20 Creighton turnovers on the night, converting the miscues into 21 points. The game featured four ties and nine lead changes.

• Xavier moved to 2-1 in overtime games this season. The Musketeers have now dropped five straight to the Bluejays, including a 0-6 mark in road games.

UP NEXT

• The Musketeers return to action at Providence on Sunday, Jan. 20. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Alumni Hall.

HIGHLIGHTS