Gray Posts Double-Double, Musketeers Fall on Friday Night Against Villanova

Friday, March 1

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Xavier University

11-17, 2-15BE

Villanova

18-10, 9-8BE

Villanova

Xavier

Gray Posts Double-Double, Musketeers Fall on Friday Night Against Villanova

03.01.19 | Women's Basketball

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

The sophomore forward had 20 points and 21 rebounds against the Wildcats

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Sophomore forward A'riana Gray posted her BIG EAST leading 14th double-double of the year on Friday night, posting 20 points with 21 rebounds as the Musketeers dropped a 68-63 contest against Villanova. The Musketeers moved to 11-17 (2-15 BIG EAST), while Villanova improved to 18-10 (9-8 BIG EAST).

FIRST HALF

• Xavier led Villanova, 10-8, at the at the 4:41 mark in the first quarter on a Princess Stewart three pointer. The Wildcats responded by scoring 10 unanswered points to take an 18-10 lead and force a Xavier timeout. Villanova led the Musketeers, 20-12, after one quarter of play.

• The opening frame had two ties and three lead changes. Princess Stewart had five points in the opening quarter, while A'riana Gray had eight rebounds.

• Xavier used a 16-9 run on 6-for-9 shooting to open the second quarter and get within one point (29-28) at the 2:58 mark. Villanova responded by scoring eight unanswered points to end the half, taking a 37-28 advantage into the locker room.

• A'riana Gray led the Musketeers with nine points and 11 rebounds at the break. Princess Stewart added seven points. Villanova held a 22-17 advantage on the glass and had nine more second-chance points (13-4).

SECOND HALF

• Villanova led by as many as 15 points (51-36) in the third quarter before the Musketeers used an 8-1 run capped by a Deja Ross jumper to get within eight (52-44) at the 2:23 mark. The Wildcats scored three unanswered points to end the frame and make the score 55-44.

• Xavier got within three points on three occasions in the final quarter. A Princess Stewart layup with 19 seconds left in regulation made the score 64-61 before the Wildcats sealed the win from the foul line, going 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.

• Xavier posted a .615 field-goal percentage (8-for-13) in the fourth quarter. The Musketeers also outscored the Wildcats, 19-13, in the final frame.

NOTABLES

• A'riana Gray finished the game with 20 points on 9-for-17 shooting, her sixth career game with 20 or more points. The sophomore forward also pulled down a game-high 21 rebounds, her third game of the season with 20 or more rebounds. She now has a BIG EAST leading 14 double-doubles this season.

• A'riana Gray becomes the first Xavier player since Ta'Shia Phillips to post 20 or more points and 20 or more rebounds in a game. Phillips had 23 points and 21 rebounds against East Tennessee State on March 21, 2010.

• Sophomore Princess Stewart added 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting, her fifth game of the year in double figures. She added three assists, two steals and three rebounds.

• Sophomore Deja Ross chipped in nine points, six rebounds, two steals and two assists. Junior guard Na'Teshia Owens added seven points and a team-high five assists.

• Both teams posted 36 rebounds on Friday night. The Musketeers scored two more points off of turnovers (12-10), while the Wildcats had six more second-chance points (13-7).

UP NEXT

• The Musketeers close out BIG EAST regular-season action on Sunday, March 3 against Georgetown. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Cintas Center.

HIGHLIGHTS