Women's Basketball Falls at Marquette on Friday Night

Friday, February 14

Milwaukee, Wis.

8 P.M.

Xavier University

2-22,1-12Big East

Marquette

19-6,10-4Big East

Xavier

Marquette

Women's Basketball Falls at Marquette on Friday Night

02.14.20 | Women's Basketball

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

Redshirt-freshman Ayanna Townsend scored a team-high 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

MILWAUKEE - Xavier women's basketball dropped a 61-48 matchup at Marquette on Friday night. The Musketeers moved to 2-22 (1-12 BIG EAST), while the Golden Eagles improved to 19-6 (10-4 BIG EAST).

FIRST HALF

• Both teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes as the game was tied 6-6 at the media timeout (4:38). All told, the open quarter had five ties with neither team leading by more than two points. Ayanna Townsend sank a free throw with 25 seconds left in the frame to give the Musketeers a one-point lead (11-10) after one quarter of action.

• Xavier opened the second frame on a 6-0 run capped by a Morgan Sharps three pointer to give Xavier a 16-10 lead with 8:16 on the clock. Marquette responded by going on a 16-2 run, taking a 26-18 advantage and forcing a Xavier timeout. Marquette outscored Xavier, 23-11, on 9-for-15 shooting in the quarter to take a 33-22 advantage into the locker room.

• Ayanna Townsend led the Musketeers with five points at the break. Lauren Wasylson led the team on the glass with five rebounds. Xavier held an 8-4 advantage in points off of turnovers.

SECOND HALF

• The Musketeers used a 10-2 run capped by an Aaliyah Dunham three pointer to get within three points (35-32) at the 6:22 mark. Aaliyah Dunham sank a pair of free throws at the 4:49 mark to make it a one-point contest (35-34). Marquette closed the frame on a 7-2 run, taking a 42-36 advantage.

• Xavier opened the final quarter on a 4-1 run to close within three points (43-40) with 8:26 on the clock. Marquette responded by outscoring the Musketeers, 18-8, down the stretch to pull away for the win.

• Ayanna Townsend scored six of her team-high 13 points in the final quarter on 3-for-3 shooting.

NOTABLES

• Redshirt-freshman Ayanna Townsend led three Musketeers in double figures with 13 points, her third game of the season with 10 or more points. The forward was 6-for-7 from the floor. She added five rebounds and two blocks.

• Junior A'riana Gray chipped in 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. The forward added three steals.

• Junior Aaliyah Dunham posted 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshman Morgan Sharps added six points and three assists.

• Marquette won the battle on the glass, 44-30, and scored 12 more second-chance points (16-4). Xavier held a 12-7 advantage in points off of turnovers.

UP NEXT

• Xavier returns to action at No. 13 DePaul on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. ET.

HIGHLIGHTS