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Wednesday, February 21
Indianapolis, Ind.
6:30 p.m.
Xavier University
at
Butler
Xavier, Butler Set for Wednesday Night Matchup on FS2
02.20.24 | Women's Basketball
Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Hinkle Fieldhouse
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball continues BIG EAST action on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Butler. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Hinkle Fieldhouse with the game being aired nationally on FS2.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-22, 0-14) at BUTLER BULLDOGS (12-13, 4-10)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 - 6:30 p.m. ET - Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,100) - Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch Live (FS2) - www.foxsports.com/live
Live Stats - bit.ly/42KoSRs
• Butler was picked to finish eighth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Bulldogs posted an 11-19 (6-14 BIG EAST) record last season.
• Caroline Strande was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday for the fourth time this season. She averaged 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals in a 2-0 week for the Bulldogs. Butler has won three straight games, most recently a 55-52 win at Villanova on Feb. 17.
• Caroline Strande ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in scoring (15.2) and eighth in rebounding (7.4). She also ranks first in three-point field-goal percentage (.459). Jordan Meulemans ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.453).
• Rachel Kent ranks fourth in the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.4), while Jordan Meulemans ranks fifth (2.3). The Bulldogs rank first in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383) and second in three pointers made per game (8.0). Butler ranks eighth in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage.
• Xavier trails the all-time series, 34-21. The Musketeers are 2-3 in their last five meetings vs the Bulldogs.
• Xavier is 7-14 vs Butler since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14 with a 3-3 record at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Nine of the last 17 meetings have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Jan. 24, 2024 - Butler 90, Xavier 57 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 21, 2023 - Butler 60, Xavier 43 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
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)
• Xavier dropped the first meeting between the two schools this season on Jan. 24 at Cintas Center, 90-57. Butler posted a .623 field-goal percentage (33-for-53) to go along with 13 three pointers.
• Four Musketeers scored in double figures: Mackayla Scarlett (18), Tae'lor Purvis (12), Aizhanique May (11) and Nila Blackford (10). It's the only game this season Xavier has had four or more double-figure scorers.
• Xavier recorded 12 steals and forced 20 Butler turnovers. The Musketeers held a 19-12 advantage in points off of turnovers. The 12 steals are the second most in a game this season by the Musketeers.
• Mackayla Scarlett was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 12. She is the only Xavier player to earn the recognition this season.
• Mackayla Scarlett is averaging a team-high 14.2 points per game. She has scored in double figures 12 times this season with four, 20-point performances. The guard scored a career-high 26 points vs No. 21 Creighton on Feb. 6. She has averaged 16.2 points per game in her last five outings.
• Aizhanique Mayo has added 10.2 points per game to rank second on the team scoring. The freshman guard scored a season-high 20 points vs Providence on Jan. 27. She has a team-best .367 three-point field-goal percentage (29-for-79).
• Nila Blackford ranks third on the team in scoring (8.5) and first in rebounding (8.4). The forward also ranks first in total blocks (15), while ranking tied for fourth in total assists (24) and tied for third in total steals (19). She ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in rebounding (8.4). She has 61 career double-figure scoring games and 34 career double-figure rebounding games.
• Tae'lor Purvis has a team-high 36 steals and 61 assists. She has added 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The guard is averaging 29.5 minutes per game, ranking 28th in the BIG EAST. Purvis also ranks 11th in steals per game (1.6).
• Daniela López is averaging 31.4 minutes per game, ranking 15th in the BIG EAST. She leads all BIG EAST freshmen in the category. The guard is averaging 6.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game this season. López ranks 16th in the NCAA in minutes per game by a freshman.
• Xavier went 14-for-14 from the foul line on Jan. 27 vs Providence, the team's second game of the season going perfect from the charity stripe (went 11-for-11 at Villanova on Dec. 30). Previously, the last time the Musketeers were perfect from the charity stripe (minimum 10 made free throws) was on Dec. 22, 2018 vs New Orleans (10-for-10).
• Six different Musketeers have led the team in scoring this season, paced by Mackayla Scarlett who has led the team in scoring 10 times. Four Musketeers are averaging 7.5 or more points per game this year.
• Xavier's freshmen have logged 42.1 percent of the team's 4,625 minutes this season. The Musketeer freshmen have played 1,949 minutes this season.
• Mackayla Scarlett (14.7) and Aizhanique Mayo (9.9) lead the Musketeers in scoring during BIG EAST action. Scarlett has a team-high 23 steals, while Mayo has added a team-high 27 three pointers.
• Aizhanique Mayo ranks second in the BIG EAST in scoring among freshmen, averaging 9.9 points per game. She also ranks eighth in three pointers made per game (1.9) and 13th in three-point field-goal percentage (.365).
• Nila Blackford has chipped in a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game to go along with 6.3 points per game. The forward ranks eighth in the conference in rebounding.
• Xavier ranks fifth in steals (7.1) and fourth in three pointers made per game (6.7), while ranking sixth in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.329).
• Xavier's freshmen have logged 50.1 percent of the team's 2,800 minutes through 14 conference games. The Musketeer freshmen have played 1,403 minutes in those contests.
• 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, Feb. 24 vs Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Cintas Center.
GAME INFORMATION
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (1-22, 0-14) at BUTLER BULLDOGS (12-13, 4-10)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 - 6:30 p.m. ET - Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,100) - Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch Live (FS2) - www.foxsports.com/live
Live Stats - bit.ly/42KoSRs
ABOUT BUTLER
• Butler was picked to finish eighth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Bulldogs posted an 11-19 (6-14 BIG EAST) record last season.
• Caroline Strande was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday for the fourth time this season. She averaged 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals in a 2-0 week for the Bulldogs. Butler has won three straight games, most recently a 55-52 win at Villanova on Feb. 17.
• Caroline Strande ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in scoring (15.2) and eighth in rebounding (7.4). She also ranks first in three-point field-goal percentage (.459). Jordan Meulemans ranks second in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.453).
• Rachel Kent ranks fourth in the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.4), while Jordan Meulemans ranks fifth (2.3). The Bulldogs rank first in the BIG EAST in three-point field-goal percentage (.383) and second in three pointers made per game (8.0). Butler ranks eighth in the NCAA in three-point field-goal percentage.
SERIES HISTORY
• Xavier trails the all-time series, 34-21. The Musketeers are 2-3 in their last five meetings vs the Bulldogs.
• Xavier is 7-14 vs Butler since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14 with a 3-3 record at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Nine of the last 17 meetings have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Jan. 24, 2024 - Butler 90, Xavier 57 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feb. 21, 2023 - Butler 60, Xavier 43 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
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)
LAST MEETING VS BUTLER
• Xavier dropped the first meeting between the two schools this season on Jan. 24 at Cintas Center, 90-57. Butler posted a .623 field-goal percentage (33-for-53) to go along with 13 three pointers.
• Four Musketeers scored in double figures: Mackayla Scarlett (18), Tae'lor Purvis (12), Aizhanique May (11) and Nila Blackford (10). It's the only game this season Xavier has had four or more double-figure scorers.
• Xavier recorded 12 steals and forced 20 Butler turnovers. The Musketeers held a 19-12 advantage in points off of turnovers. The 12 steals are the second most in a game this season by the Musketeers.
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
• Mackayla Scarlett was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 12. She is the only Xavier player to earn the recognition this season.
NOTABLES
• Mackayla Scarlett is averaging a team-high 14.2 points per game. She has scored in double figures 12 times this season with four, 20-point performances. The guard scored a career-high 26 points vs No. 21 Creighton on Feb. 6. She has averaged 16.2 points per game in her last five outings.
• Aizhanique Mayo has added 10.2 points per game to rank second on the team scoring. The freshman guard scored a season-high 20 points vs Providence on Jan. 27. She has a team-best .367 three-point field-goal percentage (29-for-79).
• Nila Blackford ranks third on the team in scoring (8.5) and first in rebounding (8.4). The forward also ranks first in total blocks (15), while ranking tied for fourth in total assists (24) and tied for third in total steals (19). She ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in rebounding (8.4). She has 61 career double-figure scoring games and 34 career double-figure rebounding games.
• Tae'lor Purvis has a team-high 36 steals and 61 assists. She has added 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The guard is averaging 29.5 minutes per game, ranking 28th in the BIG EAST. Purvis also ranks 11th in steals per game (1.6).
• Daniela López is averaging 31.4 minutes per game, ranking 15th in the BIG EAST. She leads all BIG EAST freshmen in the category. The guard is averaging 6.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game this season. López ranks 16th in the NCAA in minutes per game by a freshman.
• Xavier went 14-for-14 from the foul line on Jan. 27 vs Providence, the team's second game of the season going perfect from the charity stripe (went 11-for-11 at Villanova on Dec. 30). Previously, the last time the Musketeers were perfect from the charity stripe (minimum 10 made free throws) was on Dec. 22, 2018 vs New Orleans (10-for-10).
• Six different Musketeers have led the team in scoring this season, paced by Mackayla Scarlett who has led the team in scoring 10 times. Four Musketeers are averaging 7.5 or more points per game this year.
• Xavier's freshmen have logged 42.1 percent of the team's 4,625 minutes this season. The Musketeer freshmen have played 1,949 minutes this season.
BIG EAST ONLY NOTABLES
• Mackayla Scarlett (14.7) and Aizhanique Mayo (9.9) lead the Musketeers in scoring during BIG EAST action. Scarlett has a team-high 23 steals, while Mayo has added a team-high 27 three pointers.
• Aizhanique Mayo ranks second in the BIG EAST in scoring among freshmen, averaging 9.9 points per game. She also ranks eighth in three pointers made per game (1.9) and 13th in three-point field-goal percentage (.365).
• Nila Blackford has chipped in a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game to go along with 6.3 points per game. The forward ranks eighth in the conference in rebounding.
• Xavier ranks fifth in steals (7.1) and fourth in three pointers made per game (6.7), while ranking sixth in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.329).
• Xavier's freshmen have logged 50.1 percent of the team's 2,800 minutes through 14 conference games. The Musketeer freshmen have played 1,403 minutes in those contests.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• 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, Feb. 24 vs Marquette. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Cintas Center.
Players Mentioned
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