Xavier University Athletics
Saturday, March 9
Chicago, Ill.
5:30 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
No. 7 seed Providence
Xavier Takes on Providence in Opening Round of BIG EAST Tournament
03.06.19 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. ET from Wintrust Arena
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball takes on Providence in the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament on Saturday, March 9. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. ET from Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
NO. 10 SEED XAVIER MUSKETEERS (11-18, 2-16) vs NO. 7 SEED PROVIDENCE FRIARS (16-14, 8-10)
Game Info - Saturday, March 9 - 5:30 p.m. ET - Wintrust Arena (10,387)
Live Video - BEDN - bit.ly/2IQNbb1
Live Stats - bit.ly/2SHIK1J
2018-19 Record: 16-14 (8-10 BIG EAST)
2017-18 Record: 10-21 (3-14 BIG EAST)
2017-18 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier leads, 8-4
Last Meeting: Providence 63, Xavier 55 - (02/15/19 - Cincinnati, Ohio - Cintas Center)
NOTABLES
• Providence ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.373) and fourth in free-throw percentage (.732). The Friars also rank second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.286).
• Mary Baskerville was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. The forward averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in conference games this season with a .602 field-goal percentage (74-for-123). She was joined on the all-freshman team with Kaela Webb. Webb averaged 7.7 points and 1.2 steals per game during the regular season.
• Senior Jovana Nogic earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team honors for the second time in her career. The guard leads the Friars in scoring (13.7) and is the school's all-time leader in career three pointers made (309).
• Xavier leads the all-time series with the Friars, 8-4. Providence has won three straight in the series. The Musketeers are looking for their first win against Providence since a 68-59 win on Jan. 19, 2018.
2018-19 MEETINGS WITH PROVIDENCE
Sunday, Jan. 20
Providence 71, Xavier 58 - RECAP
Friday, Feb. 15
Providence 63, Xavier 55 - RECAP
• Sophomore A'riana Gray averaged 16.5 points and 14.0 rebounds per game against the Friars this season. She added a team-high seven steals and two blocks and was 10-for-13 from the foul line. The forward has averaged 12.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in four career games against Providence.
• Freshman Carrie Gross averaged 9.5 points per game in the two meetings against Providence this season. The guard hit 64.3 percent (9-for-14) of her shot attempts in those games.
• Xavier and Providence are meeting for the first time in the BIG EAST Tournament.
• Since the conference reconfiguration to 10 teams in 2014, the No. 10 seed has posted a 1-5 record in the opening round and a 1-6 overall record.
• Xavier is 1-5 all-time in BIG EAST Tournament action. The Musketeers lone BIG EAST Tournament win was over Georgetown, 70-67, on March 7, 2015.
• Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14, the Musketeers have never been higher than the No. 7 seed (twice). Xavier has also been the No. 8 and No. 9 seed once and the No. 10 seed twice.
• All told, Xavier is 36-24 in conference tournament history. The Musketeers posted a 28-12 record in Atlantic 10 Tournament action (1996-2013) with six championships.
• A'riana Gray was named to the All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team on Wednesday afternoon.
• A'riana Gray is the fifth Musketeer to earn All-BIG EAST postseason honors since joining the conference in 2013-14. She is the third player to earn all-conference honorable mention team honors.
• A'riana Gray was one of only two underclassmen to earn All-BIG EAST honors. St. John's Tiana England (R-So.) was also named to the honorable mention team.
A'riana Gray, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2019)
Aaliyah Dunham, All-BIG EAST Freshman Team (2018)
Raeshaun Gaffney, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2017)
Briana Glover, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2016)
Maddison Blackwell, All-BIG EAST Freshman Team (2014)
• Sophomore A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.3), while ranking 13th in scoring (13.6). The forward's 11.3 rebounds per game also ranks 13th nationally.
• Sophomore A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in double-doubles with 14, while also ranking 23rd nationally. She has 329 rebounds on the year to rank 10th in the NCAA and fifth place at Xavier in single-season rebounds. She is 42 rebounds away from moving into fourth place with Ta'Shia Phillips (371 - 2007-08).
• A'riana Gray has 57 steals on the year to rank tied for sixth in the BIG EAST. She ranks 107th in the NCAA in total steals.
• Freshman Lauren Wasylson ranks eighth in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.386) and 10th in three pointers made 56 - the most three pointers by a freshman in the conference this season.
• Lauren Wasylson's 56 three pointers are the most by a Musketeer since Ashley Wanninger in 2013-14 (62-for-186). Her 56 three pointers also rank fourth in single-season school history by a freshman.
SINGLE-SEASON FRESHMAN THREE POINTERS MADE
1. Katie Rutan - 85-for-210 (2009-10)
2. Amy Waugh - 60-for-127 (1999-00)
3. Suntana Granderson - 58-for-176 (2003-04)
4. Lauren Wasylson - 56-for-145 (2018-19)
• Sophomore Princess Stewart scored a career-high 21 points in the team's regular-season finale against Georgetown on Sunday. She was 7-for-13 from the floor and 5-for-8 from behind the arc. The guard is averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season after posting 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last year.
• Sophomore Aaliyah Dunham ranks eighth in the BIG EAST in assists (3.4) and seventh in assists-to-turnover ratio (1.9). The guard has also added 8.4 points per game this season. She averaged 2.5 assists per game last season as a freshman.
• Junior Na'Teshia Owens ranks second in the team in scoring (11.5), while ranking second in total assists (89). She also ranks 13th in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.735).
• Xavier ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in steals (7.9) and sixth in three pointers made (8.0). The 8.0 three pointers made per game rank 45th in the NCAA.
• Xavier has made 233 three pointers this season to rank second in single-season team history at XU, breaking last season's mark of 214. The Musketeers have also set the school record for three pointers attempted (758), eclipsing the school record established last season (700). The Musketeers are 23 three pointers away from matching the school record for three pointers made in a season.
• Xavier made 11 three pointers on Sunday against Georgetown, the team's eighth game of the year with 10 or more three pointers. The Musketeers also dished out 15 assists for the second straight game.
• Xavier is averaging 3.3 more points per game this season than a year ago (61.9 ppg vs 58.6 ppg). Xavier already has 25 more total blocks (80-55) than a year ago and is averaging 1.8 more steals per game (7.9 - 6.1).
• Xavier has had a player score 20 or more points in a game nine times this season. The Musketeers only had one player score 20 or more points in a game twice last season.
• Xavier has scored 80 or more points in a game five times this season. The Musketeers' season-high last season was 75 points against Furman on Dec. 17.
• Xavier is the only team in the BIG EAST without a graduate student or senior on its roster. The Musketeers only have three upperclassmen (juniors), and have 10 underclassmen – ranked with Georgetown and Providence for the most underclassmen in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier has had a player named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll six times this season. Lauren Wasylson was also named Freshman of the Week on Nov. 19 and A'riana Gray earned Player of the Week Honors on Dec. 3, the first Xavier player to earn the honors since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
• Head Coach Brian Neal announced the addition of Hannah Noveroske and Courtney Prenger to the 2019-20 roster on Nov. 15.
• Noveroske is a 6-foot-4 center from Michigan City, Ind. She averaged 20.6 points, 15.7 rebounds and 6.9 blocks per game as a junior. She recently earned all-state honors in volleyball after helping her team to a sectional title.
• Prenger helped her team win the 2018 OHSAA Division IV State Title, averaging 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-1 forward from Minster, Ohio, is a three-time all-conference first-team selection. She is also a standout track and field athlete, participating in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays at the 2016 and 2017 OHSAA State Championships.
First-place votes in parentheses
First Round – March 9
Game 1: #9 St. John's vs. #8 Seton Hall, 2 p.m. (BEDN)
Game 2: #10 Xavier vs. #7 Providence, 4:30 p.m. (BEDN)
Quarterfinals – March 10
Game 3: #1 Marquette vs Game 1 winner, Noon (FS2)
Game 4: #5 Villanova vs. #4 Georgetown, 2:30 p.m. (FS2)
Game 5: #2 DePaul vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. (FS2)
Game 6: #6 Creighton vs. #3 Butler, 8:30 p.m. (FS2)
Semifinals – March 11
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 3 p.m. (FS1)
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:30 p.m. (FS1)
Final – March 12
Game 9: Semifinal winners, 7 p.m. (FS1)
all games played at Wintrust Arena
all game times are Central Standard Time (CST)
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THE MATCHUP VS PROVIDENCE |
NO. 10 SEED XAVIER MUSKETEERS (11-18, 2-16) vs NO. 7 SEED PROVIDENCE FRIARS (16-14, 8-10)
Game Info - Saturday, March 9 - 5:30 p.m. ET - Wintrust Arena (10,387)
Live Video - BEDN - bit.ly/2IQNbb1
Live Stats - bit.ly/2SHIK1J
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ABOUT PROVIDENCE |
2018-19 Record: 16-14 (8-10 BIG EAST)2017-18 Record: 10-21 (3-14 BIG EAST)
2017-18 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier leads, 8-4
Last Meeting: Providence 63, Xavier 55 - (02/15/19 - Cincinnati, Ohio - Cintas Center)
NOTABLES
• Providence ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.373) and fourth in free-throw percentage (.732). The Friars also rank second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.286).
• Mary Baskerville was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. The forward averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in conference games this season with a .602 field-goal percentage (74-for-123). She was joined on the all-freshman team with Kaela Webb. Webb averaged 7.7 points and 1.2 steals per game during the regular season.
• Senior Jovana Nogic earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team honors for the second time in her career. The guard leads the Friars in scoring (13.7) and is the school's all-time leader in career three pointers made (309).
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PROVIDENCE SERIES HISTORY |
• Xavier leads the all-time series with the Friars, 8-4. Providence has won three straight in the series. The Musketeers are looking for their first win against Providence since a 68-59 win on Jan. 19, 2018.
2018-19 MEETINGS WITH PROVIDENCE
Sunday, Jan. 20
Providence 71, Xavier 58 - RECAP
Friday, Feb. 15
Providence 63, Xavier 55 - RECAP
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2018-19 VS THE FRIARS |
• Sophomore A'riana Gray averaged 16.5 points and 14.0 rebounds per game against the Friars this season. She added a team-high seven steals and two blocks and was 10-for-13 from the foul line. The forward has averaged 12.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in four career games against Providence.
• Freshman Carrie Gross averaged 9.5 points per game in the two meetings against Providence this season. The guard hit 64.3 percent (9-for-14) of her shot attempts in those games.
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BIG EAST TOURNAMENT HISTORY |
• Xavier and Providence are meeting for the first time in the BIG EAST Tournament.
• Since the conference reconfiguration to 10 teams in 2014, the No. 10 seed has posted a 1-5 record in the opening round and a 1-6 overall record.
• Xavier is 1-5 all-time in BIG EAST Tournament action. The Musketeers lone BIG EAST Tournament win was over Georgetown, 70-67, on March 7, 2015.
• Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14, the Musketeers have never been higher than the No. 7 seed (twice). Xavier has also been the No. 8 and No. 9 seed once and the No. 10 seed twice.
• All told, Xavier is 36-24 in conference tournament history. The Musketeers posted a 28-12 record in Atlantic 10 Tournament action (1996-2013) with six championships.
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XAVIER IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT |
| YEAR | ROUND | RESULT |
| 2018 | First Round | No. 7 Seton Hall 66, No. 10 Xavier 42 |
| 2017 | First Round | No. 10 Butler 68, No. 7 Xavier 66 |
| 2016 | First Round | No. 9 Butler 48, No. 8 Xavier 47 |
| 2015 | Quarterfinals | No. 2 DePaul 87, No. 7 Xavier 53 |
| 2015 | First Round | No. 7 Xavier 70, No. 10 Georgetown 67 |
| 2014 | First Round | No. 8 Georgetown 56, No. 9 Xavier 53 |
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GRAY EARNS ALL-BIG EAST HONORS |
• A'riana Gray was named to the All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team on Wednesday afternoon.
• A'riana Gray is the fifth Musketeer to earn All-BIG EAST postseason honors since joining the conference in 2013-14. She is the third player to earn all-conference honorable mention team honors.
• A'riana Gray was one of only two underclassmen to earn All-BIG EAST honors. St. John's Tiana England (R-So.) was also named to the honorable mention team.
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XAVIER ALL-BIG EAST HONOREES |
A'riana Gray, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2019)
Aaliyah Dunham, All-BIG EAST Freshman Team (2018)
Raeshaun Gaffney, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2017)
Briana Glover, All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team (2016)
Maddison Blackwell, All-BIG EAST Freshman Team (2014)
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GRAY'S BREAKOUT SEASON |
• Sophomore A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.3), while ranking 13th in scoring (13.6). The forward's 11.3 rebounds per game also ranks 13th nationally.
• Sophomore A'riana Gray leads the BIG EAST in double-doubles with 14, while also ranking 23rd nationally. She has 329 rebounds on the year to rank 10th in the NCAA and fifth place at Xavier in single-season rebounds. She is 42 rebounds away from moving into fourth place with Ta'Shia Phillips (371 - 2007-08).
• A'riana Gray has 57 steals on the year to rank tied for sixth in the BIG EAST. She ranks 107th in the NCAA in total steals.
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WASYLSON FROM BEHIND THE ARC |
• Freshman Lauren Wasylson ranks eighth in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.386) and 10th in three pointers made 56 - the most three pointers by a freshman in the conference this season.
• Lauren Wasylson's 56 three pointers are the most by a Musketeer since Ashley Wanninger in 2013-14 (62-for-186). Her 56 three pointers also rank fourth in single-season school history by a freshman.
SINGLE-SEASON FRESHMAN THREE POINTERS MADE
1. Katie Rutan - 85-for-210 (2009-10)
2. Amy Waugh - 60-for-127 (1999-00)
3. Suntana Granderson - 58-for-176 (2003-04)
4. Lauren Wasylson - 56-for-145 (2018-19)
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INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES |
• Sophomore Princess Stewart scored a career-high 21 points in the team's regular-season finale against Georgetown on Sunday. She was 7-for-13 from the floor and 5-for-8 from behind the arc. The guard is averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season after posting 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last year.
• Sophomore Aaliyah Dunham ranks eighth in the BIG EAST in assists (3.4) and seventh in assists-to-turnover ratio (1.9). The guard has also added 8.4 points per game this season. She averaged 2.5 assists per game last season as a freshman.
• Junior Na'Teshia Owens ranks second in the team in scoring (11.5), while ranking second in total assists (89). She also ranks 13th in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.735).
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TEAM NOTABLES |
• Xavier ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in steals (7.9) and sixth in three pointers made (8.0). The 8.0 three pointers made per game rank 45th in the NCAA.
• Xavier has made 233 three pointers this season to rank second in single-season team history at XU, breaking last season's mark of 214. The Musketeers have also set the school record for three pointers attempted (758), eclipsing the school record established last season (700). The Musketeers are 23 three pointers away from matching the school record for three pointers made in a season.
• Xavier made 11 three pointers on Sunday against Georgetown, the team's eighth game of the year with 10 or more three pointers. The Musketeers also dished out 15 assists for the second straight game.
• Xavier is averaging 3.3 more points per game this season than a year ago (61.9 ppg vs 58.6 ppg). Xavier already has 25 more total blocks (80-55) than a year ago and is averaging 1.8 more steals per game (7.9 - 6.1).
• Xavier has had a player score 20 or more points in a game nine times this season. The Musketeers only had one player score 20 or more points in a game twice last season.
• Xavier has scored 80 or more points in a game five times this season. The Musketeers' season-high last season was 75 points against Furman on Dec. 17.
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YOUNG MUSKETEERS |
• Xavier is the only team in the BIG EAST without a graduate student or senior on its roster. The Musketeers only have three upperclassmen (juniors), and have 10 underclassmen – ranked with Georgetown and Providence for the most underclassmen in the BIG EAST.
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BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS |
• Xavier has had a player named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll six times this season. Lauren Wasylson was also named Freshman of the Week on Nov. 19 and A'riana Gray earned Player of the Week Honors on Dec. 3, the first Xavier player to earn the honors since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
| March 4 | A'riana Gray | Weekly Honor Roll |
| Jan. 21 | A'riana Gray | Weekly Honor Roll |
| Jan. 7 | A'riana Gray | Weekly Honor Roll |
| Dec. 17 | Na'Teshia Owens | Weekly Honor Roll |
| Dec. 3 | A'riana Gray | Player of the Week |
| Nov. 26 | A'riana Gray | Weekly Honor Roll |
| Nov. 19 | Lauren Wasylson | Freshman of the Week |
| Nov. 12 | A'riana Gray | Weekly Honor Roll |
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2018 SIGNING CLASS |
• Head Coach Brian Neal announced the addition of Hannah Noveroske and Courtney Prenger to the 2019-20 roster on Nov. 15.
• Noveroske is a 6-foot-4 center from Michigan City, Ind. She averaged 20.6 points, 15.7 rebounds and 6.9 blocks per game as a junior. She recently earned all-state honors in volleyball after helping her team to a sectional title.
• Prenger helped her team win the 2018 OHSAA Division IV State Title, averaging 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-1 forward from Minster, Ohio, is a three-time all-conference first-team selection. She is also a standout track and field athlete, participating in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays at the 2016 and 2017 OHSAA State Championships.
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PRESEASON COACHES POLL |
| 1. | DePaul (5) | 77 |
| Marquette (5) | 77 | |
| 3. | Villanova | 57 |
| 4. | Creighton | 53 |
| 5. | Georgetown | 52 |
| 6. | St. John's | 48 |
| 7. | Butler | 34 |
| 8. | Seton Hall | 23 |
| 9. | Providence | 17 |
| 10. | Xavier | 12 |
First-place votes in parentheses
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2019 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE |
First Round – March 9
Game 1: #9 St. John's vs. #8 Seton Hall, 2 p.m. (BEDN)
Game 2: #10 Xavier vs. #7 Providence, 4:30 p.m. (BEDN)
Quarterfinals – March 10
Game 3: #1 Marquette vs Game 1 winner, Noon (FS2)
Game 4: #5 Villanova vs. #4 Georgetown, 2:30 p.m. (FS2)
Game 5: #2 DePaul vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. (FS2)
Game 6: #6 Creighton vs. #3 Butler, 8:30 p.m. (FS2)
Semifinals – March 11
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 3 p.m. (FS1)
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:30 p.m. (FS1)
Final – March 12
Game 9: Semifinal winners, 7 p.m. (FS1)
all games played at Wintrust Arena
all game times are Central Standard Time (CST)
Players Mentioned
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