Townsend Posts First Career Double-Double in Road Loss at Creighton

Friday, January 24

Omaha, Neb.

8 P.M.

Xavier University

2-17, 1-7BE

Creighton

13-6, 5-3BE

Xavier

Creighton

Townsend Posts First Career Double-Double in Road Loss at Creighton

01.24.20 | Women's Basketball

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The forward had 14 points and 14 rebounds on Friday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

OMAHA, Neb. - Redshirt-freshman Ayanna Townsend posted her first career double-double on Friday night, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds as the Musketeers dropped a 62-55 matchup at Creighton. Xavier dropped to 2-17 (1-7 BIG EAST), while the Bluejays improved to 13-6 (5-3 BIG EAST).

FIRST HALF

• Xavier opened the game on 5-for-8 shooting, taking a 12-10 lead at the first media timeout (4:22). Creighton responded with back-to-back three pointers to take a 16-12 advantage with 3:05 on the clock. Carrie Gross scored with just under a minute left in the frame to get the Musketeers within two (16-14) at the end of the quarter.

• The Musketeers outscored the Bluejays, 12-8, in the second quarter and finished the half by going 4-for-4 from the floor. Xavier led 26-24 at intermission.

• Ayanna Townsend paced the Musketeers with eight points and 10 rebounds at the break. A'riana Gray added six points and Sarah Leyendecker chipped in seven rebounds.

• Xavier held a 27-21 advantage on the glass and outscored the Bluejays 20-8 in the paint.

SECOND HALF

• Creighton opened the second half on a 10-3 run to take a 34-29 lead. Xavier used a 9-5 run on 3-for-3 shooting to get the Musketeers within one, 39-38, with 3:32 left in the third quarter. The Bluejays outscored Xavier, 7-4, down the stretch to take a 46-42 lead into the final frame.

• Xavier opened the fourth quarter on a 7-3 run capped by an Ayanna Townsend layup to tie the game, 49-49, at the 5:58 mark. Creighton outscored Xavier, 13-6, down the stretch to pull away for the win.

• A'riana Gray had 11 points and eight rebounds in the second half.

NOTABLES

• Redshirt-freshman Ayanna Townsend posted her first career double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. She was 6-for-8 from the floor. The forward added two blocks. The 14 rebounds were also a career high.

• Junior A'riana Gray posted her fourth straight double-double, scoring a team-high 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She now has 23 career double-doubles.

• Sophomore Carrie Gross added nine points for the Musketeers. Redshirt-sophomore Sarah Leyendecker chipped in six points and 12 rebounds.

• Xavier won the battle on the glass, 50-37, and had four more second-chance points (14-10) than the Bluejays.

• Xavier also posted a season-high eight blocks with A'riana Gray leading the team with three.

• Xavier had three players with 10 or more rebounds vs the Bluejays. The last time Xavier had three players with 10 or more rebounds in a game was on Jan. 27, 2013 in a 73-63 loss at Richmond.

UP NEXT

• Xavier returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Providence. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. with the game being aired nationally on FS2.

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