.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Xavier University Athletics
Friday, December 20
West Palm Beach, Fla.
4:45 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Florida
Musketeers Open West Palm Beach Invitational Action Against Florida
12.19.19 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 4:45 PM on Thursday at Keiser University
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball closes non-conference action at the West Palm Beach Invitational on Dec. 20-21 hosted by Keiser University. The Musketeers take on Florida on Friday and Northwestern on Saturday.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-8) vs FLORIDA GATORS (7-3)
Game Info - Friday, Dec. 20 - 4:45 p.m. - Student Life Center (1,600)
Live Video - bit.ly/2z9yoBn
Live Stats - bit.ly/2z9yoBn
2019-20 Record: 7-3
2018-19 Record: 8-23 (3-13 SEC)
2018-19 Postseason: None
Series History: Series is tied, 1-1
Last meeting: Florida 82, Xavier 71 - Nov. 9, 2007 (Stephen C. O'Connell Center - Gainesville, Fla.)
NOTABLES
• Florida is one win away from matching its win total from last season. The Gators are coming off a 71-50 vs Mercer on Tuesday night.
• Kiara Smith leads the Gators in scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game to rank 13th in the SEC. Lavender Briggs has added 12.9 points per game, while Zada Williams has chipped in 11.5 points per game. Williams also averages a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game to rank sixth in the SEC.
• The Gators rank fifth in the SEC in scoring defense (56.2), field-goal percentage defense (.363) and three-point field-goal percentage defense (.279).
• Florida was picked to finish 14th in the Preseason SEC Coaches Poll.
• The series between the two schools is tied, 1-1. Florida defeated Xavier, 82-71, in the last meeting on Nov. 9, 2007.
ALL-TIME MEETINGS
Nov. 12, 2006 - Xavier 86, Florida 70 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 9, 2007 - Florida 82, Xavier 71 (Gainesville, Fla.)
• Xavier participated in the 2017 West Palm Beach Invitational on Dec. 17-18.
RESULTS
Dec. 17, 2017 - Xavier 75, Furman 62 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Dec. 18, 2017 - No. 16 Missouri 74, Xavier 48 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
• Xavier is 2-3 in its last five meetings vs SEC opponents. The last time Xavier played an SEC team was vs Missouri at the 2017 West Palm Beach Invitational.
XU VS THE SEC
Dec. 18, 2017 - No. 16 Missouri 74, Xavier 48 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Nov. 30, 2011 - South Carolina 67, Xavier 56 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 14, 2011 - Mississippi State 71, Xavier 65 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Dec. 17, 2010 - Xavier 61, Mississippi State 36 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 12, 2010 - Xavier 84, South Carolina 65 (Columbia, S.C.)
• The Melanie Moore Era began on Thursday, Nov. 11 with a 70-63 win over Utah. She was introduced as the eighth head women's basketball coach in program history on April 9 at Cintas Center.
• Moore joined the Musketeers after a seven-year stint at Michigan, most recently serving as associate head coach. She helped the Wolverines to a 156-85 overall record with seven postseason berths, including three NCAA Tournament appearances.
• The Glandorf, Ohio, native also has assistant coaching stops at Princeton (2007-12), Dayton (2006-07), Indiana State (2004-06) and Siena (2002-04).
• Freshman Morgan Sharps was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. The guard scored a career-high 24 points on Saturday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout vs Cincinnati.
• The Granville, Ohio, native was 9-for-15 from the floor and 6-for-12 from behind the arc vs the Bearcats. Her six 3-pointers were the most in a game by a Xavier player since Jan. 29, 2016 (Aliyah Zantt - six 3-pointers vs Butler). She also had five rebounds and two assists.
2019-20 BIG EAST HONOREES
Dec. 16 - Morgan Sharps - Weekly Honor Roll
Nov. 11 - A'riana Gray - Weekly Honor Roll
• Xavier is coming off an 85-78 loss vs Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14. Freshman Morgan Sharps paced the Musketeers with a career-high 24 points.
• Junior A'riana Gray added 19 points and a team-high six rebounds. The forward added six assists, three blocks and three steals. The six assists were a career high for Gray.
• Freshman Courtney Prenger added 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting. She added six rebounds in 22 minutes of action off the bench.
• Xavier posted a season-high seven blocks and 22 assists vs the Bearcats.
• Xavier's non-conference opponents have combined to post a 66-35 overall record (.653) this season. Nine of the Musketeers' opponents have posted a .500 or better record this season.
• A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (9.7) this season, while adding 13.9 points per game - ranking 12th in the BIG EAST. The junior forward ranks 50th in the NCAA in rebounding.
• Junior Aaliyah Dunham ranks second on the team in scoring (8.8), while leading the team in total assists (39) and total steals (22). The guard ranks second in the BIG EAST in steals (2.4) and fourth in assists (4.3). She ranks 66th in the NCAA in steals per game and 56th in assist turnover ratio.
• Junior Aaliyah Dunham ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.517). She is 15-for-29 from the behind the arc.
• Freshman Morgan Sharps has 16 three pointers this year to rank tied for second among BIG EAST freshmen this season. The six 3-pointers vs Cincinnati also rank tied for first in the BIG EAST for single-game three pointers this season. She also ranks 11th in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.410).
• Sophomore Carrie Gross ranks second on the team in scoring (8.7) and third in rebounding (4.1) this season. She averaged 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game during her freshman campaign.
• Junior forward A'riana Gray was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team on Oct. 10. The Musketeers were also picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches' poll.
• Xavier returns its leading rebounder and scorer in junior A'riana Gray. The forward averaged 13.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game last season. She also added a team-high 58 steals.
• A'riana Gray earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team honors last season. She led the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.5), while ranking 10th in the NCAA.
• A'riana Gray was one of only two underclassmen to earn All-BIG EAST honors last season. St. John's Tiana England (R-So.) was also named to the honorable mention team.
• A'riana Gray finished the 2018-19 season with 344 rebounds to rank tied for 19th in the NCAA in total rebounds. The 344 rebounds also rank fifth in single-season school history.
• Sophomore Lauren Wasylson made a team-leading 57 three pointers during her first year on the team - leading all BIG EAST freshmen in the category, while ranking 11th overall in the conference. She also ranked 10th in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383).
• Lauren Wasylson's 57 three pointers were the most by a Musketeer since Ashley Wanninger in 2013-14 (62-for-186). Her 57 three pointers also rank fourth in single-season school history by a freshman.
• Xavier will play 14 games at Cintas Center this season, including nine BIG EAST games.
• The Musketeers open and close BIG EAST play against St. John's. Xavier opens conference play against the Red Storm on Dec. 29 at Cintas Center before closing the year in Queens, N.Y., on March 1.
• The Musketeers have won 44 non-conference games over the last five seasons with a 37-8 mark at Cintas Center.
• Six of Xavier's non-conference opponents posted winning records last season, including five teams with 20 or more wins. Five of Xavier's opponents played in a postseason tournament last season: Rider (WNIT), Wright State (NCAA), Robert Morris (NCAA), Cincinnati (WNIT) and Northwestern (WNIT).
• Xavier will play teams from nine different conferences before the start of BIG EAST play, including two teams from both the American Athletic Conference and the Pac-12 Conference. The Musketeers will also play a team from the Big Ten (Northwestern) and the Southeastern Conference (Florida).
• The Musketeers travel to the West Palm Beach Invitational on Dec. 20-21, participating in the tournament for the second time in three years. Xavier will take on Northwestern and Florida during tournament action. The tournament is being held at Keiser University.
• Xavier plays host to Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Musketeers had their five-game win streak in the series snapped last season, 79-61, at Fifth Third Arena. Xavier has won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the two schools.
• Xavier will play four opponents for the first time in program history: Utah, Rider, Colorado and Northwestern.
• Xavier will play two games on national television with each game being aired on FS2. The Musketeers will play at Georgetown on FS2 on Jan. 10 and at Providence on FS2 on Jan. 26.
1. DePaul (9) - 81
2. St. John's (1) - 70
3. Seton Hall - 58
4. Creighton - 50
t-5. Providence - 44
t-5. Villanova - 44
7. Butler - 43
8. Xavier - 23
9. Marquette - 19
10. Georgetown - 18
first-place votes in parentheses
• Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
• The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
• Season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming 2019-20 season! Season tickets start as low as $60 for all 14 home games. For more information about season tickets, fans can call the Xavier Athletics Ticket Office at 513-745-3411 ext. 7.
• Fans can choose any 4 games on the schedule for just $20. The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14 will be available in this package.
• Seating is general admission.
• Xavier closes non-conference action on Friday, Dec. 21 against Northwestern in the West Palm Beach Invitational. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m.
 |
THE MATCHUP VS FLORIDA |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-8) vs FLORIDA GATORS (7-3)
Game Info - Friday, Dec. 20 - 4:45 p.m. - Student Life Center (1,600)
Live Video - bit.ly/2z9yoBn
Live Stats - bit.ly/2z9yoBn
|
|
ABOUT FLORIDA |
2019-20 Record: 7-32018-19 Record: 8-23 (3-13 SEC)
2018-19 Postseason: None
Series History: Series is tied, 1-1
Last meeting: Florida 82, Xavier 71 - Nov. 9, 2007 (Stephen C. O'Connell Center - Gainesville, Fla.)
NOTABLES
• Florida is one win away from matching its win total from last season. The Gators are coming off a 71-50 vs Mercer on Tuesday night.
• Kiara Smith leads the Gators in scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game to rank 13th in the SEC. Lavender Briggs has added 12.9 points per game, while Zada Williams has chipped in 11.5 points per game. Williams also averages a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game to rank sixth in the SEC.
• The Gators rank fifth in the SEC in scoring defense (56.2), field-goal percentage defense (.363) and three-point field-goal percentage defense (.279).
• Florida was picked to finish 14th in the Preseason SEC Coaches Poll.
|
|
SERIES HISTORY |
• The series between the two schools is tied, 1-1. Florida defeated Xavier, 82-71, in the last meeting on Nov. 9, 2007.
ALL-TIME MEETINGS
Nov. 12, 2006 - Xavier 86, Florida 70 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 9, 2007 - Florida 82, Xavier 71 (Gainesville, Fla.)
|
|
WEST PALM BEACH INVITE HISTORY |
• Xavier participated in the 2017 West Palm Beach Invitational on Dec. 17-18.
RESULTS
Dec. 17, 2017 - Xavier 75, Furman 62 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Dec. 18, 2017 - No. 16 Missouri 74, Xavier 48 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
|
|
XAVIER VS THE SEC |
• Xavier is 2-3 in its last five meetings vs SEC opponents. The last time Xavier played an SEC team was vs Missouri at the 2017 West Palm Beach Invitational.
XU VS THE SEC
Dec. 18, 2017 - No. 16 Missouri 74, Xavier 48 (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Nov. 30, 2011 - South Carolina 67, Xavier 56 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 14, 2011 - Mississippi State 71, Xavier 65 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Dec. 17, 2010 - Xavier 61, Mississippi State 36 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nov. 12, 2010 - Xavier 84, South Carolina 65 (Columbia, S.C.)
|
|
START OF MEL MOORE ERA |
• The Melanie Moore Era began on Thursday, Nov. 11 with a 70-63 win over Utah. She was introduced as the eighth head women's basketball coach in program history on April 9 at Cintas Center.
• Moore joined the Musketeers after a seven-year stint at Michigan, most recently serving as associate head coach. She helped the Wolverines to a 156-85 overall record with seven postseason berths, including three NCAA Tournament appearances.
• The Glandorf, Ohio, native also has assistant coaching stops at Princeton (2007-12), Dayton (2006-07), Indiana State (2004-06) and Siena (2002-04).
|
|
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS |
• Freshman Morgan Sharps was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. The guard scored a career-high 24 points on Saturday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout vs Cincinnati.
• The Granville, Ohio, native was 9-for-15 from the floor and 6-for-12 from behind the arc vs the Bearcats. Her six 3-pointers were the most in a game by a Xavier player since Jan. 29, 2016 (Aliyah Zantt - six 3-pointers vs Butler). She also had five rebounds and two assists.
2019-20 BIG EAST HONOREES
Dec. 16 - Morgan Sharps - Weekly Honor Roll
Nov. 11 - A'riana Gray - Weekly Honor Roll
|
|
LAST TIME OUT |
• Xavier is coming off an 85-78 loss vs Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14. Freshman Morgan Sharps paced the Musketeers with a career-high 24 points.
• Junior A'riana Gray added 19 points and a team-high six rebounds. The forward added six assists, three blocks and three steals. The six assists were a career high for Gray.
• Freshman Courtney Prenger added 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting. She added six rebounds in 22 minutes of action off the bench.
• Xavier posted a season-high seven blocks and 22 assists vs the Bearcats.
|
|
NOTABLES |
• Xavier's non-conference opponents have combined to post a 66-35 overall record (.653) this season. Nine of the Musketeers' opponents have posted a .500 or better record this season.
• A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (9.7) this season, while adding 13.9 points per game - ranking 12th in the BIG EAST. The junior forward ranks 50th in the NCAA in rebounding.
• Junior Aaliyah Dunham ranks second on the team in scoring (8.8), while leading the team in total assists (39) and total steals (22). The guard ranks second in the BIG EAST in steals (2.4) and fourth in assists (4.3). She ranks 66th in the NCAA in steals per game and 56th in assist turnover ratio.
• Junior Aaliyah Dunham ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.517). She is 15-for-29 from the behind the arc.
• Freshman Morgan Sharps has 16 three pointers this year to rank tied for second among BIG EAST freshmen this season. The six 3-pointers vs Cincinnati also rank tied for first in the BIG EAST for single-game three pointers this season. She also ranks 11th in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.410).
• Sophomore Carrie Gross ranks second on the team in scoring (8.7) and third in rebounding (4.1) this season. She averaged 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game during her freshman campaign.
|
|
PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST |
• Junior forward A'riana Gray was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team on Oct. 10. The Musketeers were also picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches' poll.
|
|
A'RIANA GRAY - NOTABLES |
• Xavier returns its leading rebounder and scorer in junior A'riana Gray. The forward averaged 13.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game last season. She also added a team-high 58 steals.
• A'riana Gray earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team honors last season. She led the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.5), while ranking 10th in the NCAA.
• A'riana Gray was one of only two underclassmen to earn All-BIG EAST honors last season. St. John's Tiana England (R-So.) was also named to the honorable mention team.
• A'riana Gray finished the 2018-19 season with 344 rebounds to rank tied for 19th in the NCAA in total rebounds. The 344 rebounds also rank fifth in single-season school history.
|
|
WASYLSON - NOTABLES |
• Sophomore Lauren Wasylson made a team-leading 57 three pointers during her first year on the team - leading all BIG EAST freshmen in the category, while ranking 11th overall in the conference. She also ranked 10th in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383).
• Lauren Wasylson's 57 three pointers were the most by a Musketeer since Ashley Wanninger in 2013-14 (62-for-186). Her 57 three pointers also rank fourth in single-season school history by a freshman.
|
|
SCHEDULE NOTES |
• Xavier will play 14 games at Cintas Center this season, including nine BIG EAST games.
• The Musketeers open and close BIG EAST play against St. John's. Xavier opens conference play against the Red Storm on Dec. 29 at Cintas Center before closing the year in Queens, N.Y., on March 1.
• The Musketeers have won 44 non-conference games over the last five seasons with a 37-8 mark at Cintas Center.
• Six of Xavier's non-conference opponents posted winning records last season, including five teams with 20 or more wins. Five of Xavier's opponents played in a postseason tournament last season: Rider (WNIT), Wright State (NCAA), Robert Morris (NCAA), Cincinnati (WNIT) and Northwestern (WNIT).
• Xavier will play teams from nine different conferences before the start of BIG EAST play, including two teams from both the American Athletic Conference and the Pac-12 Conference. The Musketeers will also play a team from the Big Ten (Northwestern) and the Southeastern Conference (Florida).
• The Musketeers travel to the West Palm Beach Invitational on Dec. 20-21, participating in the tournament for the second time in three years. Xavier will take on Northwestern and Florida during tournament action. The tournament is being held at Keiser University.
• Xavier plays host to Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Musketeers had their five-game win streak in the series snapped last season, 79-61, at Fifth Third Arena. Xavier has won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the two schools.
• Xavier will play four opponents for the first time in program history: Utah, Rider, Colorado and Northwestern.
|
|
XAVIER ON NATIONAL TV |
• Xavier will play two games on national television with each game being aired on FS2. The Musketeers will play at Georgetown on FS2 on Jan. 10 and at Providence on FS2 on Jan. 26.
|
|
PRESEASON BIG EAST COACHES' POLL |
1. DePaul (9) - 81
2. St. John's (1) - 70
3. Seton Hall - 58
4. Creighton - 50
t-5. Providence - 44
t-5. Villanova - 44
7. Butler - 43
8. Xavier - 23
9. Marquette - 19
10. Georgetown - 18
first-place votes in parentheses
|
|
XU BASKETBALL HISTORY |
• Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
• The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
|
|
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW |
• Season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming 2019-20 season! Season tickets start as low as $60 for all 14 home games. For more information about season tickets, fans can call the Xavier Athletics Ticket Office at 513-745-3411 ext. 7.
|
|
MINI PACKS ON SALE NOW |
• Fans can choose any 4 games on the schedule for just $20. The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14 will be available in this package.
• Seating is general admission.
|
|
UP NEXT |
• Xavier closes non-conference action on Friday, Dec. 21 against Northwestern in the West Palm Beach Invitational. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Lucía Martínez López
Tuesday, September 23
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Denise Neves
Saturday, September 20
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Payton Richards
Friday, September 19
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Penda Dieng
Monday, September 08