Musketeers Drop Season Opener at Youngstown State

Wednesday, November 8

Youngstown, Ohio

6:30 p.m.

Xavier University

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Youngstown State

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Xavier

Youngstown St.

Musketeers Drop Season Opener at Youngstown State

11.08.23 | Women's Basketball

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

Nila Blackford led Xavier with 13 points and nine rebounds on Wednesday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Xavier women's basketball dropped its season opener at Youngstown State, 55-41, on Wednesday night at the Beeghly Center.

The Musketeers moved to 0-1 on the year, while the Penguins improved to 1-0.

NOTABLES

• Xavier opened the game on a 6-2 run before the Penguins scored 12 unanswered points to take an eight-point lead (14-6) with 1:40 left in the first quarter. Youngstown State never relinquished the lead and took its first double-figure advantage (30-20) with 7:33 left in the third quarter.

• Youngstown State led by as many as 19 points (52-33) with three minutes left in regulation. Xavier closed within 13 points twice down the stretch before the Penguins pulled away for the 55-41 victory.

• Nila Blackford paced the Musketeers with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting. The senior forward added a team-high nine rebounds and four steals. She now has 55 career games with 10 or more points. She nearly missed her 24th career double-double.

• Youngstown State won the battle on the glass, 39-25, and scored 24 points off of 18 Xavier turnovers. The Penguins also held a 12-0 advantage in second-chance points and score five more fastbreak points (7-2). Xavier held a 10-8 advantage in steals.

• Daniela López added seven points on 3-for-4 shooting in her Xavier debut. The freshman added a steal in 20 minutes of action off the bench.

• Kaysia Woods added six points, while Tae'lor Purvis and Mackayla Scarlett chipped in four points. Purvis added four rebounds and four steals.

• Xavier was limited to a .333 field-goal percentage (17-for-51) and only connected on one shot from behind the arc (1-for-19). The Musketeers were also 6-for-9 from the foul line.

• Xavier had its best offensive quarter in the final frame, scoring 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting.

UP NEXT

• Xavier plays host to James Madison on Saturday, Nov. 11 in the team's home opener. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center.