Short-Handed Musketeers Fall in Overtime at Butler

Friday, January 31

Indianapolis, Ind.

7 P.M.

Xavier University

2-19,1-9Big East

Butler

15-6,7-3Big East

OT 1

Xavier

Butler

Short-Handed Musketeers Fall in Overtime at Butler

01.31.20 | Women's Basketball

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

Forward Ayanna Townsend led Xavier with 14 points and eight rebounds on Friday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

INDIANAPOLIS - Xavier women's basketball dropped a 63-61 overtime thriller at Butler on Friday night at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Musketeers moved to 2-19 (1-9 BIG EAST), while the Bulldogs improved to 15-6 (7-3 BIG EAST).

The Musketeers were short handed on Friday night as Ashley Gomez, A'riana Gray and Sarah Leyendecker did not dress due to injuries. Xavier finished the game with four players as Ayanna Townsend, Aaliyah Dunham and Lauren Wasylson all fouled out.

FIRST HALF

• Butler opened the game on an 11-2 run on 4-for-5 shooting, forcing a Xavier timeout. The Bulldogs led 14-2 at the 4:23 mark before the Musketeers scored seven unanswered points to get within five points (14-9) with 2:19 on the clock. Butler hit a three pointer in the closing minutes to make the score, 17-9, after one quarter of play.

• The Musketeers used a 5-2 run capped by a Carrie Gross baseline jumper to get within five points (19-14) with 4:24 left in the half. Butler responded by scoring five unanswered points to regain its double-figure lead (24-14) with 2:40 on the clock. Butler outscored Xavier, 5-4, to end the half and take a 29-18 advantage into the locker room.

• Ayanna Townsend led Xavier in scoring with eight points on 4-for-4 shooting. The forward added four rebounds. Deja Ross led the Musketeers on the glass with five rebounds.

SECOND HALF

• Xavier opened the second half on a 9-4 run on 4-for-5 shooting, closing withe six points (33-27) with 6:29 on the clock. Butler scored five unanswered points to take a 38-27 advantage and force a Musketeer timeout. The Musketeers outscored Butler, 17-11, on 7-for-15 shooting in the third quarter to close within five points (40-35).

• Lauren Wasylson knocked down a three pointer with 8:08 left in regulation to get the Musketeers within two points (40-38). Butler responded with a 6-0 run to force a Xavier timeout at the 6:13 mark.

• Xavier closed within one point (48-47) on a Carrie Gross free throw with 2:29 left in regulation. The Musketeers battled back to tie the game at 53-53 on a Morgan Sharps three pointer with 16 seconds left on the clock. A Courtney Prenger three pointer as time expired fell short, sending the game to overtime.

OVERTIME

• Xavier started overtime on a 5-0 run capped by a Lauren Wasylson three pointer, giving Xavier a 58-53 lead with 3:52 on the clock. Butler battled back to tie the game at 59 with 52 seconds left in overtime.

• Carrie Gross hit a jumper with 38 seconds on the clock to give the Musketeer a one-point advantage (61-60). Butler hit a basket on its next possession to regain the lead, 62-61. Butler sank a free throw with five seconds left in the game to go ahead by two points, 63-61. The Bulldogs missed their second free throw attempt, but got an offensive rebound to seal the win.

NOTABLES

• Ayanna Townsend led four Musketeers in double figures with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting. She added a team-high eight rebounds.

• Courtney Prenger added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Lauren Wasylson chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. Carrie Gross added 10 point and seven rebounds.

• Morgan Sharps finished with 11 points and four rebounds. Aaliyah Dunham dished out a game-high eight assists to go along with three rebounds.

• Xavier won the battle on the glass, 47-40, and scored four more second-chance points (15-11). Butler scored 11 more points off over turnovers (18-7).

UP NEXT

• Xavier continues BIG EAST action vs Villanova on Friday, Feb. 7. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center.

HIGHLIGHTS