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Tuesday, February 21
Indianapolis, Ind.
7 p.m.
Xavier University
at
Butler
Xavier, Butler Set for Tuesday Night Matchup
02.20.23 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Hinkle Fieldhouse
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball continues BIG EAST action at Butler on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET from Hinkle Fieldhouse.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-19, 0-17) at BUTLER BULLDOGS (9-17, 4-13)
Game Info - Tuesday, Feb. 21 - 7 p.m. ET - Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,100)
Live Video (BEDN/FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/3IebMSw
2022-23 Record: 9-17 (4-13 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Record: 1-27 (0-18 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier trails, 31-21
Last Meeting: Butler 79, Xavier 65 (Dec. 28, 2022 - Cincinnati, Ohio)
NOTABLES
• Butler was picked to finish tied for ninth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll after posting a 1-27 (0-18 BIG EAST) record last year. Butler is under the direction of first-year head coach Austin Parkinson.
• Butler ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383) and three pointers made per game (7.9). The Bulldogs also rank eighth in scoring offense (61.7), ninth in scoring defense (66.4) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (.450).
• Rachel McLimore leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game to rank 19th in the BIG EAST. Sydney Jaynes ranks sixth in the conference in field-goal percentage (.508). Anna Mortag ranks third in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.424).
• Xavier trails the all-time series, 32-21. The Musketeers are 2-1 in their last three meetings vs the Bulldogs.
• Xavier is 7-12 vs Butler since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14 with a 4-5 when playing at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Nine of the last 15 meetings have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Dec. 28, 2022 - Butler 79, Xavier 65 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 20, 2022 - Xavier 73, Butler 54 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Dec. 29, 2021 - Xavier 77, Butler 55 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 22, 2021 - Butler 73, Xavier 61 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Jan. 31, 2020 - Butler 63, Xavier 61 (OT) (Indianapolis, Ind.)
• Xavier dropped the first meeting between the two schools, 79-65, on Dec. 28, 2022 at Cintas Center. The Bulldogs led by as many as 17 points (45-28) with 59 seconds left in the first half. Xavier closed within eight points (58-50) with 1:43 left in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs closed the frame on an 8-2 run - regaining a double-figure advantage (66-52) they would never relinquish.
• Mackayla Scarlett led the Musketeers in scoring with 16 points and matched her career high in rebounding with seven rebounds. Taylor Smith added 12 points, while Aanaya Harris rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.
• Shelby Calhoun chipped in seven points and a game-high nine rebounds. Nila Blackford added nine points and two rebounds.
• Xavier posted a season-high .923 free-throw percentage (12-for-13). Butler held a 22-14 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored two more fastbreak points (11-9). Xavier scored two more second-chance points (10-8) and held a 34-18 advantage in points in the paint.
• Xavier is coming off a 72-59 loss at Seton Hall on Feb. 18. The game featured three ties and five lead changes. Xavier scored six straight points to end the third quarter, closing within seven points (52-47). Seton Hall outscored Xavier, 20-14, on 9-for-14 shooting in the final quarter to pull away for the 13-point victory.
• Shelby Calhoun led the Musketeers with a season-high 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting. She also led the team in rebounding (8), assists (5) and steals (4). The four steals were also a season high for the junior guard.
• Xavier had 10 steals in the game, the team's eighth game of the year with 10 or more steals.
• Xavier posted a .473 field-goal percentage (26-for-55), the team's highest field-goal percentage in a BIG EAST game this season. The 26 made field goals are also the most by the Musketeers in a conference game 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
• Nila Blackford has 1,088 career points over four seasons of basketball (was at Kent State from 2019-22 before transferring to Xavier in the offseason). She has averaged 11.4 points per game during her career. Blackford is the first Xavier player to eclipse the 1,000-point mark since A'riana Gray (2017-21) who finished her career with 1,155 points.
• Xavier has 97 blocks this season, ranking seventh in single-season school history. The 97 blocks also rank fifth in the BIG EAST this season, while ranking 88th in the NCAA.
• Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 75th in the NCAA in total blocks (36). She is three blocks away from moving into 10th in Xavier single-season school history (10th - Terri Coughman - 39 blocks during the 1986-87 season).
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 22nd in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore. She also ranks sixth in free-throw percentage (.828).
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks 13th in the BIG EAST in three pointers made per game (1.5). Kaysia Woods ranks second in the team in three pointers made (33), while Taylor Smith ranks third (24).
• In BIG EAST only games, Mackayla Scarlett ranks third in free-throw percentage (.844). Nila Blackford ranks seventh in steals per game (1.7) and 15th in rebounding (5.7).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging eight or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (8.3) and Fernanda Ovalle (8.9). Ovalle also ranks second on the team in field-goal percentage (.439) and third rebounding (4.5).
• Fernanda Ovalle leads all BIG EAST freshmen in rebounding (4.5), while ranking second in scoring (8.9). Georgetown's Kennedy Fauntleroy leads all BIG EAST freshmen in scoring (11.5).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 36 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking third in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in steals (8.1). Nila Blackford paces the team with 29 steals, while Taylor Smith ranks second with 28.
• 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 defeated Cincinnati, 48-35, on Dec. 9 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. 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).
• 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 10th 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 played 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 played nine non-conference games (two on the road, seven at home). The Musketeers played teams from seven different conferences (MAC, Horizon, NEC, Sun Belt, Southland, OVC, AAC). Xavier played three teams for the first time in program history (Old Dominion, SIUE, Eastern Michigan).
• Xavier played 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 47-12 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 return to action on Saturday, Feb. 25 vs Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET from Cintas Center.
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THE MATCHUP AT BUTLER |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-19, 0-17) at BUTLER BULLDOGS (9-17, 4-13)
Game Info - Tuesday, Feb. 21 - 7 p.m. ET - Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,100)
Live Video (BEDN/FloSports) - flosports.link/3RvqOqo
Live Stats - bit.ly/3IebMSw
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ABOUT THE BULLDOGS |
2022-23 Record: 9-17 (4-13 BIG EAST)2021-22 Record: 1-27 (0-18 BIG EAST)
2021-22 Postseason: None
Series History: Xavier trails, 31-21
Last Meeting: Butler 79, Xavier 65 (Dec. 28, 2022 - Cincinnati, Ohio)
NOTABLES
• Butler was picked to finish tied for ninth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll after posting a 1-27 (0-18 BIG EAST) record last year. Butler is under the direction of first-year head coach Austin Parkinson.
• Butler ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383) and three pointers made per game (7.9). The Bulldogs also rank eighth in scoring offense (61.7), ninth in scoring defense (66.4) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (.450).
• Rachel McLimore leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game to rank 19th in the BIG EAST. Sydney Jaynes ranks sixth in the conference in field-goal percentage (.508). Anna Mortag ranks third in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.424).
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SERIES HISTORY |
• Xavier trails the all-time series, 32-21. The Musketeers are 2-1 in their last three meetings vs the Bulldogs.
• Xavier is 7-12 vs Butler since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14 with a 4-5 when playing at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Nine of the last 15 meetings have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Dec. 28, 2022 - Butler 79, Xavier 65 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 20, 2022 - Xavier 73, Butler 54 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Dec. 29, 2021 - Xavier 77, Butler 55 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 22, 2021 - Butler 73, Xavier 61 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Jan. 31, 2020 - Butler 63, Xavier 61 (OT) (Indianapolis, Ind.)
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LAST TIME OUT VS BUTLER |
• Xavier dropped the first meeting between the two schools, 79-65, on Dec. 28, 2022 at Cintas Center. The Bulldogs led by as many as 17 points (45-28) with 59 seconds left in the first half. Xavier closed within eight points (58-50) with 1:43 left in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs closed the frame on an 8-2 run - regaining a double-figure advantage (66-52) they would never relinquish.
• Mackayla Scarlett led the Musketeers in scoring with 16 points and matched her career high in rebounding with seven rebounds. Taylor Smith added 12 points, while Aanaya Harris rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.
• Shelby Calhoun chipped in seven points and a game-high nine rebounds. Nila Blackford added nine points and two rebounds.
• Xavier posted a season-high .923 free-throw percentage (12-for-13). Butler held a 22-14 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored two more fastbreak points (11-9). Xavier scored two more second-chance points (10-8) and held a 34-18 advantage in points in the paint.
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LAST TIME OUT |
• Xavier is coming off a 72-59 loss at Seton Hall on Feb. 18. The game featured three ties and five lead changes. Xavier scored six straight points to end the third quarter, closing within seven points (52-47). Seton Hall outscored Xavier, 20-14, on 9-for-14 shooting in the final quarter to pull away for the 13-point victory.
• Shelby Calhoun led the Musketeers with a season-high 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting. She also led the team in rebounding (8), assists (5) and steals (4). The four steals were also a season high for the junior guard.
• Xavier had 10 steals in the game, the team's eighth game of the year with 10 or more steals.
• Xavier posted a .473 field-goal percentage (26-for-55), the team's highest field-goal percentage in a BIG EAST game this season. The 26 made field goals are also the most by the Musketeers in a conference game 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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BLACKFORD - 1,000 POINT CLUB |
• Nila Blackford has 1,088 career points over four seasons of basketball (was at Kent State from 2019-22 before transferring to Xavier in the offseason). She has averaged 11.4 points per game during her career. Blackford is the first Xavier player to eclipse the 1,000-point mark since A'riana Gray (2017-21) who finished her career with 1,155 points.
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XU BLOCK RECORDS |
• Xavier has 97 blocks this season, ranking seventh in single-season school history. The 97 blocks also rank fifth in the BIG EAST this season, while ranking 88th in the NCAA.
• Individually, Courtney Prenger ranks 75th in the NCAA in total blocks (36). She is three blocks away from moving into 10th in Xavier single-season school history (10th - Terri Coughman - 39 blocks during the 1986-87 season).
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NOTABLES |
• Junior guard Mackayla Scarlett ranks 22nd in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. She averaged 0.6 points per game as a freshman and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore. She also ranks sixth in free-throw percentage (.828).
• Mackayla Scarlett ranks 13th in the BIG EAST in three pointers made per game (1.5). Kaysia Woods ranks second in the team in three pointers made (33), while Taylor Smith ranks third (24).
• In BIG EAST only games, Mackayla Scarlett ranks third in free-throw percentage (.844). Nila Blackford ranks seventh in steals per game (1.7) and 15th in rebounding (5.7).
• Two other Musketeers are averaging eight or more points per game in newcomers Taylor Smith (8.3) and Fernanda Ovalle (8.9). Ovalle also ranks second on the team in field-goal percentage (.439) and third rebounding (4.5).
• Fernanda Ovalle leads all BIG EAST freshmen in rebounding (4.5), while ranking second in scoring (8.9). Georgetown's Kennedy Fauntleroy leads all BIG EAST freshmen in scoring (11.5).
• Courtney Prenger is averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The senior forward averaged 2.2 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She also has 36 blocks this season to lead the Musketeers, while ranking third in the BIG EAST.
• Xavier ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in steals (8.1). Nila Blackford paces the team with 29 steals, while Taylor Smith ranks second with 28.
• 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 defeated Cincinnati, 48-35, on Dec. 9 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. 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).
• 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 10th 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 played 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 played nine non-conference games (two on the road, seven at home). The Musketeers played teams from seven different conferences (MAC, Horizon, NEC, Sun Belt, Southland, OVC, AAC). Xavier played three teams for the first time in program history (Old Dominion, SIUE, Eastern Michigan).
• Xavier played 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 47-12 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 return to action on Saturday, Feb. 25 vs Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET from Cintas Center.
Players Mentioned
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