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Xavier University Athletics
Friday, November 25
Cincinnati, Ohio
12 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Creighton
Musketeers Open BIG EAST Play vs No. 16 Creighton
11.23.22 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. from Cintas Center
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball opens BIG EAST action vs No. 16 Creighton on Friday, Nov. 25. Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. from Cintas Center.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (5-0, 0-0) vs NO. 16 CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS (5-0, 0-0)
Game Info - Friday, Nov. 25 - 12 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
2022-23 Record: 5-0 (0-0 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Record: 23-10 (15-5 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Postseason: NCAA Elite Eight
Series History: Xavier trails, 15-2
Last Meeting: Creighton 68, Xavier 47 (Feb. 11, 2022 - Omaha, Neb.)
NOTABLES
• Creighton was picked to finish second in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll after posting a 23-10 (15-5 BIG EAST) record last season and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight. Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly and Emma Ronsiek all earned Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors. Creighton returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last season.
• Creighton leads the BIG EAST in three pointers per game (8.8) and assist/turnover ration (+3.2), while ranking second in three-point field-goal percentage (.396) and third in both scoring offense (81.4) and scoring margin (+19.8).
• Lauren Jensen ranks sixth in the BIG EAST scoring (18.8), while Morgan Maly ranks eighth (16.4). Emma Ronsiek ranks third in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.875).
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Creighton, 15-2. Xavier has dropped 11 straight in the series and is 2-0 when playing at Cintas Center.
• The Musketeers last win in the series was on Feb. 7, 2016 at Cintas Center. Xavier won the game, 57-55.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS VS CREIGHTON
Feb. 11, 2022 - Creighton 68, Xavier 47 (Omaha, Neb.)
Jan. 2, 2022 - Creighton 67, Xavier 51 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 3, 2021 - Creighton 53, Xavier 50 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 23, 2020 - Creighton 76, Xavier 62 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 24, 2020 - Creighton 62, Xavier 55 (Omaha, Neb.)
• Xavier is 3-6 in BIG EAST openers. The Musketeers have lost four straight BIG EAST openers and are looking for their first BIG EAST opening win since Dec. 29, 2017 (W, 69-62 at Butler).
• The Musketeers are 11-50 all-time against teams ranked in the top-25. The last time Xavier played a top-25 team was on Feb. 18, 2022 (L, 89-35 vs No. 10 UConn).
• The Musketeers last win over a top-25 team was on Nov. 26, 2009 over No. 18 Kansas, 76-71, at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.
• Four Musketeers scored in double figures on Nov. 22 as Xavier picked up an 84-68 win over McNeese State at Cintas Center. Xavier has had four or more players score in double figures four times this season.
• Xavier dished out 30 assists on 33 made baskets (33-for-70), the most by a BIG EAST team this season and tied for the fifth most in a game this season in the NCAA. The 30 assists rank tied for second in single-game school history. The last time Xavier had 30 assists in a game was on Dec. 8, 1999 vs Charlotte.
• Aanaya Harris nearly missed a triple-double, finishing the game with seven points and a career-high 11 rebounds and 10 assists. The sophomore forward is the first player with 10 or more assists in a game since Feb. 20, 2022 (Shaila Beeler had 10 at Butler).
• Xavier had 10 or more steals in a game for the third time this season. Aanaya Harris and Courtney Prenger led Xavier with three steals each.
• Courtney Prenger posted a career-high 16 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The senior forward added six rebounds.
• Taylor Smith added a season-high 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting. She dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds.
• Mackayla Scarlett finished with 13 points, her fifth straight game with 10 or more points. She added a career-high eight assists to go along with four rebounds.
• Fernanda Ovalle posted a season-high 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. The freshman guard added eight rebounds and three assists.
• Xavier finished the game with a .471 field-goal percentage (33-for-70) and was 7-for-11 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 11-for-17 from the foul line.
• Xavier forced 18 turnovers, converting the miscues into 13 points. The Musketeers also held a 16-7 advantage in fastbreak points and a 40-24 advantage in points in the paint. Xavier held a 46-32 advantage on the glass.
• The Musketeers limited McNeese State to a .397 field-goal percentage (25-for-63). Xavier has now held an opponent under 40-percent shooting three times this season.
• Fernanda Ovalle was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Nov. 21. The Musketeers have now had two players earn BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors this season.
• The freshman guard posted her first career double-double last week, leading the Musketeers to a 65-49 win over Old Dominion on Nov. 22 at Cintas Center.
• The Santiago, Chile, native finished with a season-high 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting. She added a season-high 12 rebounds to go along with three assists and two blocks.
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOREES
Nov. 14 - Kaleigh Addie - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 21 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 12th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game behind a .423 field-goal percentage (22-for-52). She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore.
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks tied for first in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (13), while ranking seventh in the three-point field-goal percentage (.464). Taylor Smith also ranks tied for second in three-point field-goal percentage (.500).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 10 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (11.8) and Fernanda Ovalle (10.4). Ovalle also leads the team in field-goal percentage (.548).
• Courtney Prenger ranks 12th in the BIG EAST in rebounding, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. The senior forward also ranks third on the team in field-goal percentage (.535) and fourth in scoring (9.6).
• Xavier leads the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.421), while ranking sixth in three pointers made per game (6.4). The Musketeers only hit 26 percent of their three pointers last season (ranking 11th in the BIG EAST).
• Xavier also ranks third the BIG EAST in blocks, averaging 5.0 blocks per game. Courtney Prenger lead the team with seven blocks. The Musketeers also rank third in the BIG EAST in steals (11.0), paced by Taylor Smith who has a team-high 11 steals.
• Xavier ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in scoring offense, averaging 77.0 points per game. The Musketeers ranked eighth in the conference in scoring offense last season (62.3).
• Freshman guard Fernanda Ovalle ranks seventh in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ration (16 assists vs seven turnovers).
• Xavier ranks seventh in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage (.421), 19th in assists per game (19.0) and 49th in blocks per game (5.0).
• Xavier opened its season with an 87-68 win at Miami (Ohio). The 87 points are the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 18, 2018 vs Alabama State (W, 87-58).
• The Musketeers made eight 3-pointers (8-for-11) at Miami (Ohio), the most in a game since Feb. 22, 2021 at Butler (9-for-30).
• Aanaya Harris returns for her sophomore season after posting 9.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She added 52 assists, 23 steals and eight blocks.
• Aanaya Harris added a .463 field-goal percentage, ranking second among BIG EAST freshmen and 14th overall. Her 9.2 points per game also ranked third among conference freshmen.
• Senior Shaila Beeler led the team in assists (117) and steals (34) last season, while adding 8.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. The guard ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.805) and fifth in assists (4.0).
• Xavier also welcomes five newcomers: Taylor Smith (missed 2021-22 season with an injury), Nila Blackford (transfer from Kent State), Fernanda Ovalle, Bella Ward and June Ruiz Azkue.
• The Musketeers will play five of their first six BIG EAST games at Cintas Center. Xavier opens its conference schedule on Black Friday vs Creighton who advanced to the 2022 NCAA Elite Eight.
• Xavier will play four games on national television: at Georgetown on Dec. 4 (FS1), vs Villanova on Jan. 1 (CBS Sports Network), vs UConn on Jan. 5 (SNY) and at UConn on Feb. 27 (CBS Sports Network).
• The BIG EAST Tournament will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., for the third straight season. The tournament will be held on March 3-6.
• Xavier will play nine non-conference games (two on the road, seven at home). The Musketeers will play teams from seven different conferences (MAC, Horizon, NEC, Sun Belt, Southland, OVC, AAC). Xavier will play three teams for the first time in program history (Old Dominion, SIUE, Eastern Michigan).
• Xavier will play seven non-conference home games, the most non-conference home games for the Musketeers since 2018-19 (nine games).
• The Musketeers have won 57 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 46-10 mark at Cintas Center.
• Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
• The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
• The Musketeers continue non-conference action at SIUE on Sunday, Nov. 27. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET from First Community Arena.
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THE MATCHUP VS CREIGHTON |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (5-0, 0-0) vs NO. 16 CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS (5-0, 0-0)
Game Info - Friday, Nov. 25 - 12 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
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ABOUT CREIGHTON |
2022-23 Record: 5-0 (0-0 BIG EAST)2021-22 Record: 23-10 (15-5 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Postseason: NCAA Elite Eight
Series History: Xavier trails, 15-2
Last Meeting: Creighton 68, Xavier 47 (Feb. 11, 2022 - Omaha, Neb.)
NOTABLES
• Creighton was picked to finish second in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll after posting a 23-10 (15-5 BIG EAST) record last season and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight. Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly and Emma Ronsiek all earned Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors. Creighton returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last season.
• Creighton leads the BIG EAST in three pointers per game (8.8) and assist/turnover ration (+3.2), while ranking second in three-point field-goal percentage (.396) and third in both scoring offense (81.4) and scoring margin (+19.8).
• Lauren Jensen ranks sixth in the BIG EAST scoring (18.8), while Morgan Maly ranks eighth (16.4). Emma Ronsiek ranks third in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.875).
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SERIES HISTORY |
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Creighton, 15-2. Xavier has dropped 11 straight in the series and is 2-0 when playing at Cintas Center.
• The Musketeers last win in the series was on Feb. 7, 2016 at Cintas Center. Xavier won the game, 57-55.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS VS CREIGHTON
Feb. 11, 2022 - Creighton 68, Xavier 47 (Omaha, Neb.)
Jan. 2, 2022 - Creighton 67, Xavier 51 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 3, 2021 - Creighton 53, Xavier 50 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 23, 2020 - Creighton 76, Xavier 62 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 24, 2020 - Creighton 62, Xavier 55 (Omaha, Neb.)
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BIG EAST OPENERS |
• Xavier is 3-6 in BIG EAST openers. The Musketeers have lost four straight BIG EAST openers and are looking for their first BIG EAST opening win since Dec. 29, 2017 (W, 69-62 at Butler).
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XU VS THE TOP-25 |
• The Musketeers are 11-50 all-time against teams ranked in the top-25. The last time Xavier played a top-25 team was on Feb. 18, 2022 (L, 89-35 vs No. 10 UConn).
• The Musketeers last win over a top-25 team was on Nov. 26, 2009 over No. 18 Kansas, 76-71, at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.
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LAST TIME OUT |
• Four Musketeers scored in double figures on Nov. 22 as Xavier picked up an 84-68 win over McNeese State at Cintas Center. Xavier has had four or more players score in double figures four times this season.
• Xavier dished out 30 assists on 33 made baskets (33-for-70), the most by a BIG EAST team this season and tied for the fifth most in a game this season in the NCAA. The 30 assists rank tied for second in single-game school history. The last time Xavier had 30 assists in a game was on Dec. 8, 1999 vs Charlotte.
• Aanaya Harris nearly missed a triple-double, finishing the game with seven points and a career-high 11 rebounds and 10 assists. The sophomore forward is the first player with 10 or more assists in a game since Feb. 20, 2022 (Shaila Beeler had 10 at Butler).
• Xavier had 10 or more steals in a game for the third time this season. Aanaya Harris and Courtney Prenger led Xavier with three steals each.
• Courtney Prenger posted a career-high 16 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The senior forward added six rebounds.
• Taylor Smith added a season-high 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting. She dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds.
• Mackayla Scarlett finished with 13 points, her fifth straight game with 10 or more points. She added a career-high eight assists to go along with four rebounds.
• Fernanda Ovalle posted a season-high 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. The freshman guard added eight rebounds and three assists.
• Xavier finished the game with a .471 field-goal percentage (33-for-70) and was 7-for-11 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 11-for-17 from the foul line.
• Xavier forced 18 turnovers, converting the miscues into 13 points. The Musketeers also held a 16-7 advantage in fastbreak points and a 40-24 advantage in points in the paint. Xavier held a 46-32 advantage on the glass.
• The Musketeers limited McNeese State to a .397 field-goal percentage (25-for-63). Xavier has now held an opponent under 40-percent shooting three times this season.
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BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS |
• Fernanda Ovalle was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Nov. 21. The Musketeers have now had two players earn BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors this season.
• The freshman guard posted her first career double-double last week, leading the Musketeers to a 65-49 win over Old Dominion on Nov. 22 at Cintas Center.
• The Santiago, Chile, native finished with a season-high 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting. She added a season-high 12 rebounds to go along with three assists and two blocks.
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOREES
Nov. 14 - Kaleigh Addie - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 21 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
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NOTABLES |
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 12th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game behind a .423 field-goal percentage (22-for-52). She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore.
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks tied for first in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (13), while ranking seventh in the three-point field-goal percentage (.464). Taylor Smith also ranks tied for second in three-point field-goal percentage (.500).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 10 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (11.8) and Fernanda Ovalle (10.4). Ovalle also leads the team in field-goal percentage (.548).
• Courtney Prenger ranks 12th in the BIG EAST in rebounding, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. The senior forward also ranks third on the team in field-goal percentage (.535) and fourth in scoring (9.6).
• Xavier leads the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.421), while ranking sixth in three pointers made per game (6.4). The Musketeers only hit 26 percent of their three pointers last season (ranking 11th in the BIG EAST).
• Xavier also ranks third the BIG EAST in blocks, averaging 5.0 blocks per game. Courtney Prenger lead the team with seven blocks. The Musketeers also rank third in the BIG EAST in steals (11.0), paced by Taylor Smith who has a team-high 11 steals.
• Xavier ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in scoring offense, averaging 77.0 points per game. The Musketeers ranked eighth in the conference in scoring offense last season (62.3).
• Freshman guard Fernanda Ovalle ranks seventh in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ration (16 assists vs seven turnovers).
• Xavier ranks seventh in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage (.421), 19th in assists per game (19.0) and 49th in blocks per game (5.0).
• Xavier opened its season with an 87-68 win at Miami (Ohio). The 87 points are the most in a game for Xavier since Dec. 18, 2018 vs Alabama State (W, 87-58).
• The Musketeers made eight 3-pointers (8-for-11) at Miami (Ohio), the most in a game since Feb. 22, 2021 at Butler (9-for-30).
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ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS |
• Aanaya Harris returns for her sophomore season after posting 9.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She added 52 assists, 23 steals and eight blocks.
• Aanaya Harris added a .463 field-goal percentage, ranking second among BIG EAST freshmen and 14th overall. Her 9.2 points per game also ranked third among conference freshmen.
• Senior Shaila Beeler led the team in assists (117) and steals (34) last season, while adding 8.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. The guard ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.805) and fifth in assists (4.0).
• Xavier also welcomes five newcomers: Taylor Smith (missed 2021-22 season with an injury), Nila Blackford (transfer from Kent State), Fernanda Ovalle, Bella Ward and June Ruiz Azkue.
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SCHEDULE NOTES |
• The Musketeers will play five of their first six BIG EAST games at Cintas Center. Xavier opens its conference schedule on Black Friday vs Creighton who advanced to the 2022 NCAA Elite Eight.
• Xavier will play four games on national television: at Georgetown on Dec. 4 (FS1), vs Villanova on Jan. 1 (CBS Sports Network), vs UConn on Jan. 5 (SNY) and at UConn on Feb. 27 (CBS Sports Network).
• The BIG EAST Tournament will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., for the third straight season. The tournament will be held on March 3-6.
• Xavier will play nine non-conference games (two on the road, seven at home). The Musketeers will play teams from seven different conferences (MAC, Horizon, NEC, Sun Belt, Southland, OVC, AAC). Xavier will play three teams for the first time in program history (Old Dominion, SIUE, Eastern Michigan).
• Xavier will play seven non-conference home games, the most non-conference home games for the Musketeers since 2018-19 (nine games).
• The Musketeers have won 57 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 46-10 mark at Cintas Center.
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XU BASKETBALL HISTORY |
• Xavier has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently advancing to the tournament's second round in 2011.
• The Musketeers' best NCAA Tournament finish was in 2001 and 2010 as XU advanced to the Elite Eight.
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BIG EAST COACHES' POLL |
| 1. | UConn (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Creighton | 89 |
| 3. | Villanova (1) | 83 |
| T-4. | DePaul | 68 |
| T-4. | Seton Hall | 68 |
| 6. | Marquette | 56 |
| 7. | St. John's | 47 |
| 8. | Providence | 34 |
| T-9. | Butler | 21 |
| T-9. | Georgetown | 21 |
| 11. | Xavier | 18 |
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UP NEXT |
• The Musketeers continue non-conference action at SIUE on Sunday, Nov. 27. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET from First Community Arena.
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