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Xavier University Athletics
Wednesday, December 8
Cincinnati, Ohio
12 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Niagara
Non-Conference Action Continues vs Niagara
12.07.21 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. from Cintas Center
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball continues non-conference action on Wednesday, Dec. 8 vs Niagara. Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. ET from Cintas Center.
The game will serve as Kids' Day with more than 2,000 elementary students expected to be in attendance.Β
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XAVIER MUSKETEERS (3-5) vs NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES (3-4)
Game Info - Wednesday, Dec. 8 - 12 p.m. ET - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live VideoΒ -Β bit.ly/3ptR5bK
Live Stats -Β bit.ly/2qqIPeu
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2021-22Β Record:Β 3-4
2020-21Β Record: 4-7 (4-6 MAAC)
Series History:Β First Meeting
NOTABLES
β’ Niagara was picked to finish seventh in the Preseason MAACΒ Coaches' Poll after posting a 4-7 (4-6 MAAC) record last season. Angel Parker was named to the Preseason All-AAC First Team.
β’ The Purple Eagles are coming off a 76-71 home win vs Cornell on Dec. 4. Niagara is 0-4 in road games this season.
β’ Niagara leads the MAAC in steals (13.7), while ranking second in scoring offense (69.4). Angel Parker leads the conference in steals (4.4), while ranking third in scoring (14.9). team in scoring (14.9).
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β’ Xavier is 2-2 in its last four games vs MAAC opponents. The Musketeers dropped their last game vs a MAAC opponent on Nov. 16, 2019 (L, 64-57 at Rider).
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β’ Xavier is coming off a 103-85 road loss at DePaul on Dec. 5. The Musketeers posted a season high in points (85), made field goals (35) and assists (24). The Musketeers also scored 56 points in the paint and had 26 fastbreak points.
β’ The 85 points are the most in a game for the Musketeers since Jan. 10, 2020 (W, 85-64 at Georgetown). The 35 made field goals is the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 2, 2018 (W, 94-81 vs North Alabama - 36 field goals). The 24 assists are the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 18, 2018 (W, 87-58 vs Alabama State - 24 assists).
β’Β Nia ClarkΒ led four Musketeers in double figures with 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting. She added a career-high six assists to go along with two steals, two rebounds and one block. The guard has a team-leading 18 career games with 10 or more points.
β’Β Mikayla HayesΒ finished with a career-high 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting (all her points came in the second half). She added seven rebounds in 19 minutes of action off the bench. The center has scored in double figures four times in her career.
β’Β Aanaya HarrisΒ scored 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting to go along with a season-high seven assists. She added four rebounds and one steal. The freshman has scored in double figures in six of the team's eight games this season.
β’Β Mackayla ScarlettΒ added a career-high 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes of action off the bench. She chipped in four rebounds and two steals.
β’Β Shaila BeelerΒ andΒ Kae SatterfieldΒ combined for 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
β’ DePaul won the battle on the glass, 46-40, and had three more points off of turnovers (19-16). The Blue Demons also held a 34-12 advantage in second-chance points.
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β’ Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST with seven newcomers, only trailing Providence (eight newcomers).Β
β’ Xavier is replacing over half of its points, rebounds and assists from players who departed the program in the offseason. The Musketeers lost 57.9 percent of theirΒ total points (549), 54.8 percent of their total rebounds (297) and 66.7 percent of their total assists (140).
β’ All told, the Musketeers five players who graduated in the offseason (A'riana Gray, Aaliyah Dunham, Sarah Leyendecker, Lauren Wasylson, Deja Ross) combined for the following career statistics: 406 games played, 2,933 points, 1,764 rebounds and 636 assists.
β’Β Xavier leads the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.803), while ranking 10th in the NCAA. The Musketeers also rank fourth in the BIG EAST in field-goal percentage (.432).
β’ Xavier ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in steals per game (8.0) this season. Nia Clark leads the team with 13 steals, ranking ninth in the BIG EAST.
β’ Nia Clark ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 14.9Β points per game. She also ranks first in free-throw percentage (.941).
β’ Freshman Aanaya Harris ranks third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.8Β points per game. She has hit 49.3 percent (35-for-71) of her shot attempts this season, ranking 10th in the BIG EAST. She ranks second on th team in total blocks (5) and total assists (23).
β’ Kae SatterfieldΒ leads the team in rebounding (5.9), while ranking fourthΒ in scoring (8.9). She has hit 90.5Β percent (19-for-21) of her free throws, ranking third in the BIG EAST.
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β’Β Xavier returns two of its top three scorers from last season inΒ Nia ClarkΒ andΒ Kae Satterfield. The Musketeers finished the season with a 5-10 (2-8 BIG EAST) record.
β’Β Nia ClarkΒ averaged 11.5 points per game last season, ranking second on the team. She also led the team in three pointers made (16) and total steals (26). The Indianapolis, Ind., native averaged 2.0 steals per game, ranking sixth in the BIG EAST and 126th in the NCAA.
β’Β Kae SatterfieldΒ averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She ranked second on the team in rebounding, while ranking 14th in the BIG EAST. The New York, N.Y., nativeΒ also posted a team-best .468 field-goal percentage (58-for-124).
β’Β The Musketeers welcome seven newcomers to the team this season, comprised of four transfers and three true freshmen. The four transfers areΒ Shelby CalhounΒ (Virginia Tech),Β Mikayla HayesΒ (Florida/Clemson),Β Taylor SmithΒ (Ole Miss) andΒ Shaila BeelerΒ (Indiana/Vincennes). The true freshman areΒ Kaysia WoodsΒ (Lincoln, Neb.),Β Kaybriana HallmanΒ (Grand Rapids, Mich.) andΒ Aanaya HarrisΒ (Omaha, Neb.).Β
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β’ Ayanna TownsendΒ has 63 career blocks, ranking eighth all-time at Xavier. She is 15 blocks away from moving into seventhΒ place with Carol MadsenΒ (1991-94).
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β’ Xavier will play nine non-conference games (five on the road, four at home). The Musketeers will play teams from eight different conferences (AAC, Pac-12, MAC, MVC, Horizon, ASUN, MAAC, OVC). The contest with Niagara on Dec. 8 will be the first meeting between the two schools.
β’ Xavier plays six teams that advanced to postseason action last season: Wright State (NCAA), Marquette (NCAA), UConnΒ (NCAA), Villanova (WNIT), DePaul (WNIT), Creighton (WNIT).
β’ The Musketeers will play four games on national television: Jan. 15 at UConn (SNY), Jan. 23 vs DePaul (CBS Sports Network), Feb. 13 at Providence (FS1) and Feb. 18 vs UConn (SNY). Xavier's remaining 16 conference games will be aired BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) presented by SoFi. FloSportsΒ will serve as the digital home for conference women's basketball for the second straight season.
β’ The conference season begins on Dec. 3 at Marquette and concludes on Feb. 27 at Cintas Center vs Villanova. The Musketeers will play four BIG EAST games before the start of 2022.
β’ The BIG EAST Tournament will be held atΒ Mohegan SunΒ Arena for the second straight year. The tournament will be heldΒ on March 5-7.
β’ The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout returns after the game was canceled last season due to COVID-19 issues. Xavier has won four of the last six meetings between the two teams and 11 of the last 16 meetings. The game will be played at Fifth Third Arena on Sunday, Dec. 12.
β’ The Musketeers have won 50 non-conference games over the last sixΒ seasons with a 40-10 mark at Cintas Center.
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β’ Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
β’ The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
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β’ Xavier travels to Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 12 for the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET.
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The game will serve as Kids' Day with more than 2,000 elementary students expected to be in attendance.Β
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Β THE MATCHUP VS NIAGARA |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (3-5) vs NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES (3-4)
Game Info - Wednesday, Dec. 8 - 12 p.m. ET - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live VideoΒ -Β bit.ly/3ptR5bK
Live Stats -Β bit.ly/2qqIPeu
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Β ABOUT NIAGARA |
2021-22Β Record:Β 3-42020-21Β Record: 4-7 (4-6 MAAC)
Series History:Β First Meeting
NOTABLES
β’ Niagara was picked to finish seventh in the Preseason MAACΒ Coaches' Poll after posting a 4-7 (4-6 MAAC) record last season. Angel Parker was named to the Preseason All-AAC First Team.
β’ The Purple Eagles are coming off a 76-71 home win vs Cornell on Dec. 4. Niagara is 0-4 in road games this season.
β’ Niagara leads the MAAC in steals (13.7), while ranking second in scoring offense (69.4). Angel Parker leads the conference in steals (4.4), while ranking third in scoring (14.9). team in scoring (14.9).
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Β XAVIER VS THE MAAC |
β’ Xavier is 2-2 in its last four games vs MAAC opponents. The Musketeers dropped their last game vs a MAAC opponent on Nov. 16, 2019 (L, 64-57 at Rider).
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Β Β LAST TIME OUT |
β’ Xavier is coming off a 103-85 road loss at DePaul on Dec. 5. The Musketeers posted a season high in points (85), made field goals (35) and assists (24). The Musketeers also scored 56 points in the paint and had 26 fastbreak points.
β’ The 85 points are the most in a game for the Musketeers since Jan. 10, 2020 (W, 85-64 at Georgetown). The 35 made field goals is the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 2, 2018 (W, 94-81 vs North Alabama - 36 field goals). The 24 assists are the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 18, 2018 (W, 87-58 vs Alabama State - 24 assists).
β’Β Nia ClarkΒ led four Musketeers in double figures with 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting. She added a career-high six assists to go along with two steals, two rebounds and one block. The guard has a team-leading 18 career games with 10 or more points.
β’Β Mikayla HayesΒ finished with a career-high 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting (all her points came in the second half). She added seven rebounds in 19 minutes of action off the bench. The center has scored in double figures four times in her career.
β’Β Aanaya HarrisΒ scored 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting to go along with a season-high seven assists. She added four rebounds and one steal. The freshman has scored in double figures in six of the team's eight games this season.
β’Β Mackayla ScarlettΒ added a career-high 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes of action off the bench. She chipped in four rebounds and two steals.
β’Β Shaila BeelerΒ andΒ Kae SatterfieldΒ combined for 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
β’ DePaul won the battle on the glass, 46-40, and had three more points off of turnovers (19-16). The Blue Demons also held a 34-12 advantage in second-chance points.
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Β NOTABLES |
β’ Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST with seven newcomers, only trailing Providence (eight newcomers).Β
β’ Xavier is replacing over half of its points, rebounds and assists from players who departed the program in the offseason. The Musketeers lost 57.9 percent of theirΒ total points (549), 54.8 percent of their total rebounds (297) and 66.7 percent of their total assists (140).
β’ All told, the Musketeers five players who graduated in the offseason (A'riana Gray, Aaliyah Dunham, Sarah Leyendecker, Lauren Wasylson, Deja Ross) combined for the following career statistics: 406 games played, 2,933 points, 1,764 rebounds and 636 assists.
β’Β Xavier leads the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.803), while ranking 10th in the NCAA. The Musketeers also rank fourth in the BIG EAST in field-goal percentage (.432).
β’ Xavier ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in steals per game (8.0) this season. Nia Clark leads the team with 13 steals, ranking ninth in the BIG EAST.
β’ Nia Clark ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 14.9Β points per game. She also ranks first in free-throw percentage (.941).
β’ Freshman Aanaya Harris ranks third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.8Β points per game. She has hit 49.3 percent (35-for-71) of her shot attempts this season, ranking 10th in the BIG EAST. She ranks second on th team in total blocks (5) and total assists (23).
β’ Kae SatterfieldΒ leads the team in rebounding (5.9), while ranking fourthΒ in scoring (8.9). She has hit 90.5Β percent (19-for-21) of her free throws, ranking third in the BIG EAST.
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Β ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS |
β’Β Xavier returns two of its top three scorers from last season inΒ Nia ClarkΒ andΒ Kae Satterfield. The Musketeers finished the season with a 5-10 (2-8 BIG EAST) record.
β’Β Nia ClarkΒ averaged 11.5 points per game last season, ranking second on the team. She also led the team in three pointers made (16) and total steals (26). The Indianapolis, Ind., native averaged 2.0 steals per game, ranking sixth in the BIG EAST and 126th in the NCAA.
β’Β Kae SatterfieldΒ averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She ranked second on the team in rebounding, while ranking 14th in the BIG EAST. The New York, N.Y., nativeΒ also posted a team-best .468 field-goal percentage (58-for-124).
β’Β The Musketeers welcome seven newcomers to the team this season, comprised of four transfers and three true freshmen. The four transfers areΒ Shelby CalhounΒ (Virginia Tech),Β Mikayla HayesΒ (Florida/Clemson),Β Taylor SmithΒ (Ole Miss) andΒ Shaila BeelerΒ (Indiana/Vincennes). The true freshman areΒ Kaysia WoodsΒ (Lincoln, Neb.),Β Kaybriana HallmanΒ (Grand Rapids, Mich.) andΒ Aanaya HarrisΒ (Omaha, Neb.).Β
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Β AYANNA TOWNSEND CAREER WATCH |
β’ Ayanna TownsendΒ has 63 career blocks, ranking eighth all-time at Xavier. She is 15 blocks away from moving into seventhΒ place with Carol MadsenΒ (1991-94).
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Β SCHEDULE NOTES |
β’ Xavier will play nine non-conference games (five on the road, four at home). The Musketeers will play teams from eight different conferences (AAC, Pac-12, MAC, MVC, Horizon, ASUN, MAAC, OVC). The contest with Niagara on Dec. 8 will be the first meeting between the two schools.
β’ Xavier plays six teams that advanced to postseason action last season: Wright State (NCAA), Marquette (NCAA), UConnΒ (NCAA), Villanova (WNIT), DePaul (WNIT), Creighton (WNIT).
β’ The Musketeers will play four games on national television: Jan. 15 at UConn (SNY), Jan. 23 vs DePaul (CBS Sports Network), Feb. 13 at Providence (FS1) and Feb. 18 vs UConn (SNY). Xavier's remaining 16 conference games will be aired BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) presented by SoFi. FloSportsΒ will serve as the digital home for conference women's basketball for the second straight season.
β’ The conference season begins on Dec. 3 at Marquette and concludes on Feb. 27 at Cintas Center vs Villanova. The Musketeers will play four BIG EAST games before the start of 2022.
β’ The BIG EAST Tournament will be held atΒ Mohegan SunΒ Arena for the second straight year. The tournament will be heldΒ on March 5-7.
β’ The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout returns after the game was canceled last season due to COVID-19 issues. Xavier has won four of the last six meetings between the two teams and 11 of the last 16 meetings. The game will be played at Fifth Third Arena on Sunday, Dec. 12.
β’ The Musketeers have won 50 non-conference games over the last sixΒ seasons with a 40-10 mark at Cintas Center.
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Β BIG EAST COACHES' POLL |
| 1. | UConn (10) | 100 |
| 2. | DePaul (1) | 90 |
| 3. | Seton Hall | 80 |
| 4. | MarquetteΒ | 74 |
| 5. | Villanova | 62 |
| 6. | Creighton | 54 |
| 7. | St. John's | 51 |
| 8. | Providence | 32 |
| 9. | Georgetown | 27 |
| 10. | Xavier | 18 |
| 11. | Butler | 17 |
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Β XU BASKETBALL HISTORY |
β’ Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
β’ The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
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Β UP NEXT |
β’ Xavier travels to Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 12 for the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET.
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