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Saturday, December 17
Cincinnati, Ohio
1 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Eastern Michigan
Non-Conference Action Continues vs Eastern Michigan
12.16.22 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Cintas Center
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball continues non-conference action vs Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Dec. 17. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Cintas Center.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-3) vs EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (5-2)
Game Info - Saturday, Dec. 17 - 1 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
2022-23 Record: 5-2
2021-22 Record: 7-20 (4-16 MAC)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: First meeting
NOTABLES
• The Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the Preseason MAC Coaches' Poll after posting a 7-20 (4-16 MAC) record last season. Eastern Michigan is the second MAC team Xavier will play this season (Xavier topped Miami University, 87-68, on Nov. 7).
• Eastern Michigan is on a two-game losing streak, most recently falling to Southern Indiana, 66-60, on Dec. 10. The Eagles are 1-0 in their lone road game of the season (W, 71-62 at SIUE on Nov. 13). Xavier also played at SIUE this season on Nov. 27 (W, 73-65).
• Lachelle Austin ranks 10th in the MAC in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. Eastern Michigan has a total of six players averaging 10 or more points per game this season.
• Ce'Nara Skanes has added 11.3 points per game and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game, ranking third in the MAC.
• Xavier is coming off a 48-35 win over Cincinnati on Dec. 9 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. The Musketeers limited the Bearcats to a season-low 35 points and .179 field-goal percentage (10-for-56).
• The 35 points are the fewest allowed by a Xavier team since Nov. 17, 2018 vs Fairfield (W, 48-35). The .179 field-goal percentage is the lowest field-goal percentage allowed by a Xavier team since Nov. 25, 2015 (held Southeastern Louisiana to a .190 field-goal percentage on 11-for-58 shooting). The 35 points are the fewest allowed by a Xavier team in the series history vs the Bearcats (previous low was 38 points on Dec. 6, 2009; Xavier won 69-38 at Cintas Center).
• Courtney Prenger led the Musketeers with 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting, her ninth career game in double figures and her fifth of the season. She added eight rebounds, three blocks and one steal.
• Shelby Calhoun added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The guard also had a game-high six assists to go along with two steals. The 11 rebounds match her career high in the stat category, while the six assists established a new career high.
• Fernanda Ovalle added nine points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Kaysia Woods chipped in five points and a team-high three steals, while Mackayla Scarlett finished with seven rebounds, three assists and three points.
• Xavier finished the game 18-for-56 from the floor and 3-for-11 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 9-for-17 from the foul line.
• Xavier held a 16-10 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored 14 more points in the paint (28-14). The Musketeers also scored six more bench points (19-13) and four more second-chance points (9-5).
• Xavier had six blocks in the game, the team's fourth game with six or more blocks this year. The Musketeers also had nine steals, the team's fifth game with nine or more steals this season.
• Xavier has had two players earn Freshman of the Week honors this season, most recently Fernanda Ovalle on Nov. 28.
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOREES
Nov. 14 - Kaleigh Addie - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 21 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 28 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 19th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game. She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore.
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks tied for sixth in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (20). Taylor Smith and Kaysia Woods rank second on the team in three pointers made (15). Smith also ranks tied for sixth in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.455).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 11 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (12.6) and Fernanda Ovalle (11.2). Ovalle also ranks second the team in rebounding (5.7) and field-goal percentage (.495).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 15 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking tied for third in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks third in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.383). The Musketeers only hit 26 percent of their three pointers last season (ranking 11th in the BIG EAST). Xavier also ranks second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.249).
• Xavier also ranks second in the BIG EAST in blocks (4.6), third in steals (9.0) and fourth in assists (16.5). Mackayla Scarlett leads Xavier in both steals (15) and assists (36).
• Xavier ranks 16th in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage, 41st in assists per game and 43rd in blocks per game. Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 62nd in the NCAA in total blocks.
• Fernanda Ovalle (20 points) and Mackayla Scarlett (21 points) both set career highs in scoring at SIUE on Nov. 27. It marked the first time since Jan. 10, 2020 that Xavier had two players score 20 or more points in a game (A'riana Gray and Aaliyah Dunham each scored 20 points at Georgetown).
• Xavier dished out 30 assists on 33 made baskets (33-for-70) vs McNeese State, the most by a BIG EAST team this season and tied for the ninth 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.
• 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).
• 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 opened 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 59 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 47-10 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 close non-conference action vs Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Cintas Center.
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THE MATCHUP VS EASTERN MICHIGAN |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-3) vs EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (5-2)
Game Info - Saturday, Dec. 17 - 1 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
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ABOUT THE EAGLES |
2022-23 Record: 5-22021-22 Record: 7-20 (4-16 MAC)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: First meeting
NOTABLES
• The Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the Preseason MAC Coaches' Poll after posting a 7-20 (4-16 MAC) record last season. Eastern Michigan is the second MAC team Xavier will play this season (Xavier topped Miami University, 87-68, on Nov. 7).
• Eastern Michigan is on a two-game losing streak, most recently falling to Southern Indiana, 66-60, on Dec. 10. The Eagles are 1-0 in their lone road game of the season (W, 71-62 at SIUE on Nov. 13). Xavier also played at SIUE this season on Nov. 27 (W, 73-65).
• Lachelle Austin ranks 10th in the MAC in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. Eastern Michigan has a total of six players averaging 10 or more points per game this season.
• Ce'Nara Skanes has added 11.3 points per game and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game, ranking third in the MAC.
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LAST TIME OUT |
• Xavier is coming off a 48-35 win over Cincinnati on Dec. 9 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. The Musketeers limited the Bearcats to a season-low 35 points and .179 field-goal percentage (10-for-56).
• The 35 points are the fewest allowed by a Xavier team since Nov. 17, 2018 vs Fairfield (W, 48-35). The .179 field-goal percentage is the lowest field-goal percentage allowed by a Xavier team since Nov. 25, 2015 (held Southeastern Louisiana to a .190 field-goal percentage on 11-for-58 shooting). The 35 points are the fewest allowed by a Xavier team in the series history vs the Bearcats (previous low was 38 points on Dec. 6, 2009; Xavier won 69-38 at Cintas Center).
• Courtney Prenger led the Musketeers with 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting, her ninth career game in double figures and her fifth of the season. She added eight rebounds, three blocks and one steal.
• Shelby Calhoun added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The guard also had a game-high six assists to go along with two steals. The 11 rebounds match her career high in the stat category, while the six assists established a new career high.
• Fernanda Ovalle added nine points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Kaysia Woods chipped in five points and a team-high three steals, while Mackayla Scarlett finished with seven rebounds, three assists and three points.
• Xavier finished the game 18-for-56 from the floor and 3-for-11 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 9-for-17 from the foul line.
• Xavier held a 16-10 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored 14 more points in the paint (28-14). The Musketeers also scored six more bench points (19-13) and four more second-chance points (9-5).
• Xavier had six blocks in the game, the team's fourth game with six or more blocks this year. The Musketeers also had nine steals, the team's fifth game with nine or more steals this season.
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BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS |
• Xavier has had two players earn Freshman of the Week honors this season, most recently Fernanda Ovalle on Nov. 28.
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOREES
Nov. 14 - Kaleigh Addie - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 21 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
Nov. 28 - Fernanda Ovalle - Freshman of the Week
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NOTABLES |
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 19th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game. She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore.
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks tied for sixth in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (20). Taylor Smith and Kaysia Woods rank second on the team in three pointers made (15). Smith also ranks tied for sixth in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.455).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 11 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (12.6) and Fernanda Ovalle (11.2). Ovalle also ranks second the team in rebounding (5.7) and field-goal percentage (.495).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 15 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking tied for third in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks third in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.383). The Musketeers only hit 26 percent of their three pointers last season (ranking 11th in the BIG EAST). Xavier also ranks second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.249).
• Xavier also ranks second in the BIG EAST in blocks (4.6), third in steals (9.0) and fourth in assists (16.5). Mackayla Scarlett leads Xavier in both steals (15) and assists (36).
• Xavier ranks 16th in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage, 41st in assists per game and 43rd in blocks per game. Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 62nd in the NCAA in total blocks.
• Fernanda Ovalle (20 points) and Mackayla Scarlett (21 points) both set career highs in scoring at SIUE on Nov. 27. It marked the first time since Jan. 10, 2020 that Xavier had two players score 20 or more points in a game (A'riana Gray and Aaliyah Dunham each scored 20 points at Georgetown).
• Xavier dished out 30 assists on 33 made baskets (33-for-70) vs McNeese State, the most by a BIG EAST team this season and tied for the ninth 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.
• 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).
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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 opened 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 59 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 47-10 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 close non-conference action vs Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. from Cintas Center.
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