Musketeers Top Detroit Mercy, 81-73, in Season Opener

Wednesday, November 25

Detroit, Mich.

2 p.m.

Xavier University

1-0,0-0Big East

Detroit Mercy

0-1,0-0Horizon

Xavier

Detroit Mercy

Musketeers Top Detroit Mercy, 81-73, in Season Opener

11.25.20 | Women's Basketball

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

Carrie Gross had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists on Wednesday afternoon

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

DETROIT - Xavier women's basketball picked up an 81-73 win at Detroit Mercy in the team's 2020-21 season opener. Freshman Nia Clark posted a double-double, scoring 14 points with 10 steals in her Musketeer debut.

FIRST HALF

• Xavier scored the first four points of the game and led 11-2 on a Shaulana Wagner basket with four minutes left in the first quarter. Detroit closed within five twice before a Nia Clark basket in the closing minute gave the Musketeers a 17-10 advantage. Defensively, the Musketeers held the Titans to a .222 field-goal percentage (4-for-18) in the opening quarter.

• Detroit responded by hitting 60 percent (6-for-10) of its shot attempts in the second quarter, outscoring the Musketeers, 26-25, in the frame. Xavier led the Titans, 42-36, at the break.

• Nia Clark led the Musketeers with nine points at intermission, while Shaulana Wagner added eight. A'riana Gray, Carrie Gross and Ayanna Townsend all added six points.

• Xavier also held a 23-18 advantage on the glass with A'riana Gray leading the Musketeers with six.

SECOND HALF

• Detroit got within four points (54-50) with 4:08 in the third quarter, before the Musketeers used a 14-5 run on 6-for-6 shooting to end the frame. Xavier led 68-55 after three quarters.

• Xavier maintained at least three possession lead for the remainder of the contest to pull away fro the 81-73 victory. Newcomer Kae Satterfield scored six of her 12 points in the final stanza.

• Courtney Prenger scored all 10 of her points in the second half on 4-for-5 shooting.

NOTABLES

• Nia Clark led four Musketeers in double figures with 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting. She added 10 steals, four assists and three rebounds. The 10 steals rank second in single-game school history.

• Kae Satterfield nearly missed a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. She added three steals and two assists.

• Carrie Gross scored 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting, her 15th career game in double figures. The guard added four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

• A'riana Gray added eight rebounds, six points and four steals. Ayanna Townsend and Shaulana Wagner both added eight points.

• Xavier finished the game with 22 steals, tied for the second most in single-game school history.

• The Musketeers held a 44-34 advantage on the glass and scored 31 points off of turnovers. Xavier also had 30 fastbreak points in the win.

UP NEXT

• Xavier returns to action on Friday, Dec. 4 in BIG EAST action versus Creighton. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. from Cintas Center with the game being aired on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW