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Xavier University Athletics
Saturday, December 30
Villanova, Pa.
2 p.m.
Xavier University
at
Villanova
Xavier Travels to Villanova on Saturday
12.28.23 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Finneran Pavilion
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball continues BIG EAST action on Saturday, Dec. 30 at Villanova. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Finneran Pavilion.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-9, 0-1) at VILLANOVA WILDCATS (7-5, 0-1)
Saturday, Dec. 30 - 2 p.m. ET - Finneran Pavilion (6,501) - Villanova, Pa.
Watch Live (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - statb.us/b/492033
• Villanova was picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll after posting a 30-7 (17-3 BIG EAST) record last season. Lucy Olsen was also tabbed to the preseason all-conference team. The Wildcats return three starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
• Lucy Olsen leads the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 23.4 points per game. The guard ranks fifth in the NCAA in scoring. Christina Dalce leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.2), while ranking 10th in the NCAA. Bella Runyan leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio, while ranking fourth in assists (4.0).
• Villanova ranks second in the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game (9.8), while ranking 17th in assist/turnover ratio (1.48) and 45th in blocks per game (4.7). The Wildcats rank sixth in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (66.8) and seventh in scoring defense (60.5).
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Villanova, 19-1. The Musketeers lone win in the series was a 74-67 overtime victory on Dec. 31, 2015 at Cintas Center.
• The Musketeers have lost 14 straight in the series and are 0-10 when playing the Wildcats in Villanova, Pa.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Jan. 17, 2023 - Villanova 76, Xavier 38 (Villanova, Pa.)
Jan. 1, 2023 - Villanova 77, Xavier 49 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 27, 2022 - Villanova 58, Xavier 49 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 30, 2022 - Villanova 82, Xavier 57 (Villanova, Pa.)
March 6, 2020 - Villanova 64, Xavier 56 (OT) (Chicago, Ill.)
• Xavier is coming off a 76-55 loss vs DePaul in the team's BIG EAST opener on Dec. 20 at Cintas Center.
• Xavier made a season-high 11 three pointers (11-for-27), the team's first game of the season with double-figure made three pointers. The Musketeers made 11 or more three pointers in a game for the first time since Jan. 10, 2020 at Georgetown (went 13-for-20 from behind the arc in an 85-64 victory).
• Seven different Musketeers made a three pointer, paced by Kaysia Woods who made three (3-for-7). Daniela López and Tae'lor Purvis each added two 3-pointers.
• Tae'lor Purvis and Kaysia Woods led Xavier with nine points each. Purvis also dished out a game-high six assists, while grabbing four rebounds. Woods added two steals and two rebounds.
• Mackayla Scarlett is averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game. She has scored in double figures five times this season with two, 20-point performances. The guard leads the team in made free throws (24) and free-throw percentage (.727).
• Nila Blackford ranks second on the team in scoring (10.3) and first in rebounding (9.2). The forward also ranks first in total blocks (11), while ranking second in total assists (15) and total steals (14). She ranks second in the BIG EAST in rebounding (9.2), while ranking 43rd in the NCAA. She has 60 career double-figure scoring games and 33 career double-figure rebounding games.
• Kaysia Woods ranks third on the team in scoring (9.6), while ranking first in three pointers made (24). She ranks seventh in the BIG EAST in three pointers made per game and 63rd in the NCAA in three pointers attempted (78).
• Kaysia Woods has increased her scoring by 6.8 points per game from her freshman season (2021-22) to her junior season (2023-24). The guard averaged 2.9 points per game as a freshman and 5.8 points per game as a sophomore. She is now averaging 9.6 points per game and has 11 career double-figure scoring games.
• Tae'lor Purvis has a team-high 17 steals and 31 assists. She has added 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The guard is averaging 31.5 minutes per game, ranking 11th in the BIG EAST. Purvis also ranks 11th in steals per game (1.7).
• Daniela López is averaging 34.5 minutes per game, ranking third in the BIG EAST. She leads all BIG EAST freshmen in the category. The guard is averaging 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season. López ranks fourth in the NCAA in minutes per game by a freshman.
• The Musketeers opened the regular season on the road for the fourth consecutive year, traveling to Youngstown State on Nov. 8. The Musketeers and Penguins played each other for the first time since 2004.
• Xavier's home opener was on Saturday, Nov. 11 vs James Madison. It marked the first meeting between the two programs. All told, the Musketeers will play five home games at Cintas Center during non-conference action. Xavier will play six games on the road, including a trip to the Arizona State Tournament on Dec. 1-2.
• The annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout was on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Fifth Third Arena. Xavier is now 5-4 in the last nine meetings vs the Bearcats.
• Xavier will play teams from seven different leagues during non-conference action: Mid-American (3), Horizon (2), Sun Belt (2), American, Pac-12, Big 12 and Ohio Valley. The Musketeers non-conference opponents combined to post a 181-166 record last year with three postseason appearances.
• Xavier plays an 18-game BIG EAST schedule beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 20 vs DePaul. The Musketeers will only play UConn (Feb. 14) and Villanova (Dec. 30) once during the 2023-24 season.
• The 2024 BIG EAST Tournament presented by JEEP will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on March 8-11. FOX Sports will air the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games.
• Xavier will play three nationally televised games: Jan. 13 vs Seton Hall (FS1), Feb. 14 vs UConn (SNY) and Feb. 21 at Butler (FS2).
• The Musketeers have won 60 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 48-15 mark at Cintas Center.
Saturday, Jan. 13 vs Seton Hall - 4 PM - FS1
Wednesday, Feb. 14 vs UConn - 7 PM - SNY
Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Butler - 6:30 PM - FS2
• Xavier is under the direction of first-year head coach Billi Chambers. She joined the Musketeers after spending 10 seasons at Iona University (2013-23). She led the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament twice (2015-16, 2022-23), captured two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championships (2013-14, 2022-23) and won two MAAC Tournament Championships (2015-16, 2022-23). The conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances were program firsts.
• The two-time MAAC Coach of the Year led the Gaels to a 26-7 (18-2 MAAC) record in 2022-23 and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Three players earned All-MAAC honors, highlighted by Juana Camilion who was named the MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
• Xavier returns three of its top five scorers from a year ago in Mackayla Scarlett (10.9), Taylor Smith (7.5) and Nila Blackford (6.3). Blackford also led the team in rebounding (5.5).
• The Musketeers also return Shelby Calhoun. The guard led the team in total assists (67), while ranking second in rebounding (4.6) and eighth in scoring (4.2).
1. UConn (10) - 100
2. Creighton (1) - 90
3. Marquette - 79
4. Villanova - 76
5. Seton Hall - 58
6. St. John's - 52
7. DePaul - 49
8. Butler - 37
9. Providence - 32
10. Georgetown - 20
11. Xavier - 12
• 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.
• Season and single-game tickets are available for purchase at GoXavier.com/Tickets or by calling the Xavier Ticket Office at (513) 745-3411 x. 7.
• Xavier returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 6 at No. 18 Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. ET from the Al McGuire Center.
GAME INFORMATION
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-9, 0-1) at VILLANOVA WILDCATS (7-5, 0-1)
Saturday, Dec. 30 - 2 p.m. ET - Finneran Pavilion (6,501) - Villanova, Pa.
Watch Live (FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - statb.us/b/492033
ABOUT VILLANOVA
• Villanova was picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll after posting a 30-7 (17-3 BIG EAST) record last season. Lucy Olsen was also tabbed to the preseason all-conference team. The Wildcats return three starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
• Lucy Olsen leads the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 23.4 points per game. The guard ranks fifth in the NCAA in scoring. Christina Dalce leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (11.2), while ranking 10th in the NCAA. Bella Runyan leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio, while ranking fourth in assists (4.0).
• Villanova ranks second in the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game (9.8), while ranking 17th in assist/turnover ratio (1.48) and 45th in blocks per game (4.7). The Wildcats rank sixth in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (66.8) and seventh in scoring defense (60.5).
SERIES HISTORY
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Villanova, 19-1. The Musketeers lone win in the series was a 74-67 overtime victory on Dec. 31, 2015 at Cintas Center.
• The Musketeers have lost 14 straight in the series and are 0-10 when playing the Wildcats in Villanova, Pa.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Jan. 17, 2023 - Villanova 76, Xavier 38 (Villanova, Pa.)
Jan. 1, 2023 - Villanova 77, Xavier 49 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 27, 2022 - Villanova 58, Xavier 49 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jan. 30, 2022 - Villanova 82, Xavier 57 (Villanova, Pa.)
March 6, 2020 - Villanova 64, Xavier 56 (OT) (Chicago, Ill.)
LAST TIME OUT
• Xavier is coming off a 76-55 loss vs DePaul in the team's BIG EAST opener on Dec. 20 at Cintas Center.
• Xavier made a season-high 11 three pointers (11-for-27), the team's first game of the season with double-figure made three pointers. The Musketeers made 11 or more three pointers in a game for the first time since Jan. 10, 2020 at Georgetown (went 13-for-20 from behind the arc in an 85-64 victory).
• Seven different Musketeers made a three pointer, paced by Kaysia Woods who made three (3-for-7). Daniela López and Tae'lor Purvis each added two 3-pointers.
• Tae'lor Purvis and Kaysia Woods led Xavier with nine points each. Purvis also dished out a game-high six assists, while grabbing four rebounds. Woods added two steals and two rebounds.
NOTABLE
• Mackayla Scarlett is averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game. She has scored in double figures five times this season with two, 20-point performances. The guard leads the team in made free throws (24) and free-throw percentage (.727).
• Nila Blackford ranks second on the team in scoring (10.3) and first in rebounding (9.2). The forward also ranks first in total blocks (11), while ranking second in total assists (15) and total steals (14). She ranks second in the BIG EAST in rebounding (9.2), while ranking 43rd in the NCAA. She has 60 career double-figure scoring games and 33 career double-figure rebounding games.
• Kaysia Woods ranks third on the team in scoring (9.6), while ranking first in three pointers made (24). She ranks seventh in the BIG EAST in three pointers made per game and 63rd in the NCAA in three pointers attempted (78).
• Kaysia Woods has increased her scoring by 6.8 points per game from her freshman season (2021-22) to her junior season (2023-24). The guard averaged 2.9 points per game as a freshman and 5.8 points per game as a sophomore. She is now averaging 9.6 points per game and has 11 career double-figure scoring games.
• Tae'lor Purvis has a team-high 17 steals and 31 assists. She has added 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The guard is averaging 31.5 minutes per game, ranking 11th in the BIG EAST. Purvis also ranks 11th in steals per game (1.7).
• Daniela López is averaging 34.5 minutes per game, ranking third in the BIG EAST. She leads all BIG EAST freshmen in the category. The guard is averaging 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season. López ranks fourth in the NCAA in minutes per game by a freshman.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• The Musketeers opened the regular season on the road for the fourth consecutive year, traveling to Youngstown State on Nov. 8. The Musketeers and Penguins played each other for the first time since 2004.
• Xavier's home opener was on Saturday, Nov. 11 vs James Madison. It marked the first meeting between the two programs. All told, the Musketeers will play five home games at Cintas Center during non-conference action. Xavier will play six games on the road, including a trip to the Arizona State Tournament on Dec. 1-2.
• The annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout was on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Fifth Third Arena. Xavier is now 5-4 in the last nine meetings vs the Bearcats.
• Xavier will play teams from seven different leagues during non-conference action: Mid-American (3), Horizon (2), Sun Belt (2), American, Pac-12, Big 12 and Ohio Valley. The Musketeers non-conference opponents combined to post a 181-166 record last year with three postseason appearances.
• Xavier plays an 18-game BIG EAST schedule beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 20 vs DePaul. The Musketeers will only play UConn (Feb. 14) and Villanova (Dec. 30) once during the 2023-24 season.
• The 2024 BIG EAST Tournament presented by JEEP will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on March 8-11. FOX Sports will air the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games.
• Xavier will play three nationally televised games: Jan. 13 vs Seton Hall (FS1), Feb. 14 vs UConn (SNY) and Feb. 21 at Butler (FS2).
• The Musketeers have won 60 non-conference games over the last seven seasons with a 48-15 mark at Cintas Center.
NATIONAL TV GAMES
Saturday, Jan. 13 vs Seton Hall - 4 PM - FS1
Wednesday, Feb. 14 vs UConn - 7 PM - SNY
Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Butler - 6:30 PM - FS2
ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS
• Xavier is under the direction of first-year head coach Billi Chambers. She joined the Musketeers after spending 10 seasons at Iona University (2013-23). She led the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament twice (2015-16, 2022-23), captured two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championships (2013-14, 2022-23) and won two MAAC Tournament Championships (2015-16, 2022-23). The conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances were program firsts.
• The two-time MAAC Coach of the Year led the Gaels to a 26-7 (18-2 MAAC) record in 2022-23 and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Three players earned All-MAAC honors, highlighted by Juana Camilion who was named the MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
• Xavier returns three of its top five scorers from a year ago in Mackayla Scarlett (10.9), Taylor Smith (7.5) and Nila Blackford (6.3). Blackford also led the team in rebounding (5.5).
• The Musketeers also return Shelby Calhoun. The guard led the team in total assists (67), while ranking second in rebounding (4.6) and eighth in scoring (4.2).
BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
1. UConn (10) - 100
2. Creighton (1) - 90
3. Marquette - 79
4. Villanova - 76
5. Seton Hall - 58
6. St. John's - 52
7. DePaul - 49
8. Butler - 37
9. Providence - 32
10. Georgetown - 20
11. Xavier - 12
XAVIER 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.
TICKET INFORMATION
• Season and single-game tickets are available for purchase at GoXavier.com/Tickets or by calling the Xavier Ticket Office at (513) 745-3411 x. 7.
UP NEXT
• Xavier returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 6 at No. 18 Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. ET from the Al McGuire Center.
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