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Xavier University Athletics
Xavier, Cincinnati Set for Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Friday Night
12.08.22 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball takes on crosstown rival Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Friday, Dec. 9. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center.
The game will serve as Mental Health Awareness Night with the first 1,000 fans in attendance receiving a t-shirt courtesy of 1N5. The first 3,000 fans will also receive a Xavier rally towel.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (6-3) vs CINCINNATI BEARCATS (5-4)
Game Info - Friday, Dec. 9 - 7 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
2022-23 Record: 5-4 (0-0 AAC)
2021-22 Record: 11-17 (4-11 AAC)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier trails, 26-17
Last Meeting: Cincinnati 82, Xavier 73 (Dec. 12, 2021 - Fifth Third Arena)
NOTABLES
• Cincinnati was picked to finish ninth in the Preseason American Athletic Conference Coaches' Poll after posting an 11-17 (4-11 AAC) record last year. Junior guard Jillian Hayes was named to the preseason all-conference second team.
• The Bearcats rank seventh in the AAC in scoring offense (67.3) and ninth in scoring defense (65.2). Cincinnati also ranks second in blocks (4.4), seventh in field-goal percentage (.414) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (.407).
• Jillian Hayes ranks fifth in the AAC in scoring (15.1), rebounding (8.4) and field-goal percentage (.465). She also ranks second in the AAC in blocks (1.3) and fourth in assists (4.1). Mya Jackson has added 14.5 points per game to rank 10th in the AAC.
• Xavier is looking for its first win in the series since Dec. 10, 2017 (W, 53-50 at Cintas Center). The Musketeers have dropped three straight in the series. Cincinnati won last year's meeting, 82-73, at Fifth Third Arena on Dec. 12 - improving to 26-17 in the all-time series.
• Xavier has won four of the last seven meetings between the two schools and 11 of the last 17 meetings. A total of 22 games in the rivalry have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
• Friday's matchup will be the 19th meeting in December. Xavier is 9-9 versus Cincinnati when playing in the month of December.
• Xavier is 2-1 in its last three meetings vs Cincinnati at Cintas Center. All told, the Musketeers are 5-5 when playing the Bearcats at Cintas Center.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS VS CINCINNATI
Dec. 12, 2021 - Cincinnati 82, Xavier 73 (Fifth Third Arena)
Dec. 14, 2019 - Cincinnati 85, Xavier 78 (Cintas Center)
Dec. 16, 2018 - Cincinnati 79, Xavier 61 (Fifth Third Arena)
Dec. 10, 2017 - Xavier 53, Cincinnati 50 (Cintas Center)
Dec. 11, 2016 - Xavier 72, Cincinnati 61 (Fifth Third Arena)
• Xavier is coming off a 74-52 loss at Georgetown on Dec. 4. The Musketeers were held under 60 points for the second straight game and third time this season.
• Kaysia Woods led three Musketeers in double figures with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting. The sophomore guard made three 3-pointers to go along with three rebounds, one steal and one assist.
• Taylor Smith and Mackayla Scarlett each added 10 points. Smith added four rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Scarlett chipped in four assists and two rebounds.
• Shelby Calhoun posted a team-high five rebounds and five assists. The guard added one block and one point.
• Fernanda Ovalle finished with nine points on 4-for-8 shooting. The freshman guard added three rebounds, two assists and one block.
• Xavier finished the game with a .339 field-goal percentage (19-for-56) and was 9-for-21 from behind the arc and 5-for-10 from the foul line. Georgetown won the battle on the glass, 42-32.
• Georgetown forced 21 turnovers, converting the miscues into 22 points. Xavier held a 20-13 advantage in bench points, while the Hoyas scored 16 more points in the paint (32-16).
• 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 16th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 13.9 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 fifth in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (19), while ranking 15th in the three-point field-goal percentage (.396). Taylor Smith also ranks fourth in three-point field-goal percentage (.455), while Kaysia Woods ranks 12th in the category (.412).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 11 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (12.6) and Fernanda Ovalle (11.4). Ovalle also leads the team in rebounding (5.4) and field-goal percentage (.506).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 12 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking fifth in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.391). 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 (.259).
• Xavier also ranks third in the BIG EAST in assists (17.0) and steals (9.0), while ranking fourth in the blocks (4.4). Mackayla Scarlett leads Xavier in both steals (15) and assists (33).
• Xavier ranks 14th in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage, 37th in assists per game and 54th in blocks per game. Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 76th 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 seventh 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 58 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 their six-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 17 vs Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m.
The game will serve as Mental Health Awareness Night with the first 1,000 fans in attendance receiving a t-shirt courtesy of 1N5. The first 3,000 fans will also receive a Xavier rally towel.
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THE MATCHUP VS CINCINNATI |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (6-3) vs CINCINNATI BEARCATS (5-4)
Game Info - Friday, Dec. 9 - 7 p.m. - Cintas Center (10,224)
Live Video (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/2qqIPeu
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ABOUT THE BEARCATS |
2022-23 Record: 5-4 (0-0 AAC)2021-22 Record: 11-17 (4-11 AAC)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier trails, 26-17
Last Meeting: Cincinnati 82, Xavier 73 (Dec. 12, 2021 - Fifth Third Arena)
NOTABLES
• Cincinnati was picked to finish ninth in the Preseason American Athletic Conference Coaches' Poll after posting an 11-17 (4-11 AAC) record last year. Junior guard Jillian Hayes was named to the preseason all-conference second team.
• The Bearcats rank seventh in the AAC in scoring offense (67.3) and ninth in scoring defense (65.2). Cincinnati also ranks second in blocks (4.4), seventh in field-goal percentage (.414) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (.407).
• Jillian Hayes ranks fifth in the AAC in scoring (15.1), rebounding (8.4) and field-goal percentage (.465). She also ranks second in the AAC in blocks (1.3) and fourth in assists (4.1). Mya Jackson has added 14.5 points per game to rank 10th in the AAC.
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SERIES HISTORY |
• Xavier is looking for its first win in the series since Dec. 10, 2017 (W, 53-50 at Cintas Center). The Musketeers have dropped three straight in the series. Cincinnati won last year's meeting, 82-73, at Fifth Third Arena on Dec. 12 - improving to 26-17 in the all-time series.
• Xavier has won four of the last seven meetings between the two schools and 11 of the last 17 meetings. A total of 22 games in the rivalry have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
• Friday's matchup will be the 19th meeting in December. Xavier is 9-9 versus Cincinnati when playing in the month of December.
• Xavier is 2-1 in its last three meetings vs Cincinnati at Cintas Center. All told, the Musketeers are 5-5 when playing the Bearcats at Cintas Center.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS VS CINCINNATI
Dec. 12, 2021 - Cincinnati 82, Xavier 73 (Fifth Third Arena)
Dec. 14, 2019 - Cincinnati 85, Xavier 78 (Cintas Center)
Dec. 16, 2018 - Cincinnati 79, Xavier 61 (Fifth Third Arena)
Dec. 10, 2017 - Xavier 53, Cincinnati 50 (Cintas Center)
Dec. 11, 2016 - Xavier 72, Cincinnati 61 (Fifth Third Arena)
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LAST TIME OUT |
• Xavier is coming off a 74-52 loss at Georgetown on Dec. 4. The Musketeers were held under 60 points for the second straight game and third time this season.
• Kaysia Woods led three Musketeers in double figures with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting. The sophomore guard made three 3-pointers to go along with three rebounds, one steal and one assist.
• Taylor Smith and Mackayla Scarlett each added 10 points. Smith added four rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Scarlett chipped in four assists and two rebounds.
• Shelby Calhoun posted a team-high five rebounds and five assists. The guard added one block and one point.
• Fernanda Ovalle finished with nine points on 4-for-8 shooting. The freshman guard added three rebounds, two assists and one block.
• Xavier finished the game with a .339 field-goal percentage (19-for-56) and was 9-for-21 from behind the arc and 5-for-10 from the foul line. Georgetown won the battle on the glass, 42-32.
• Georgetown forced 21 turnovers, converting the miscues into 22 points. Xavier held a 20-13 advantage in bench points, while the Hoyas scored 16 more points in the paint (32-16).
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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 16th in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 13.9 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 fifth in the BIG EAST in three pointers made (19), while ranking 15th in the three-point field-goal percentage (.396). Taylor Smith also ranks fourth in three-point field-goal percentage (.455), while Kaysia Woods ranks 12th in the category (.412).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging 11 or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (12.6) and Fernanda Ovalle (11.4). Ovalle also leads the team in rebounding (5.4) and field-goal percentage (.506).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 12 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking fifth in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.391). 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 (.259).
• Xavier also ranks third in the BIG EAST in assists (17.0) and steals (9.0), while ranking fourth in the blocks (4.4). Mackayla Scarlett leads Xavier in both steals (15) and assists (33).
• Xavier ranks 14th in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage, 37th in assists per game and 54th in blocks per game. Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 76th 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 seventh 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 58 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 their six-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 17 vs Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m.
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PRESS CONFERENCE |
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