Musketeers Drop BIG EAST Matchup at Villanova

Thursday, January 8

Villanova, Pa.

11:30 a.m.

Xavier University

9-7,2-5Big East

Villanova

13-3,6-1Big East

Xavier

Villanova

Musketeers Drop BIG EAST Matchup at Villanova

01.08.26 | Women's Basketball

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

The Wildcats topped Xavier, 67-50, on Thursday

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Xavier dropped a 67-50 BIG EAST road matchup at Villanova on Thursday at Finneran Pavilion.

The Musketeers moved to 9-7 (2-5 BIG EAST), while the Wildcats improved to 13-3 (6-1 BIG EAST).

The Musketeers return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 13 vs DePaul. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Cintas Center with the game being aired on ESPN+.

NOTABLES

The opening quarter had two ties and two lead changes. Villanova led by as many as 16 points midway through the second quarter before taking a 33-20 lead into the locker room.
Xavier closed within seven points twice in the third quarter. The Musketeers made the score 46-39 on a pair of Mariyah Noel free throws with 46 seconds on the clock, but Kelsey Jones hit a three pointer on Villanova's next possession - taking a 10-point lead (49-39) into the final quarter.
The Wildcats outscored Xavier, 18-11, in the final frame to pull away for the 17-point win.
Savannah White matched her season high in scoring with 16 points on 7-for-7 shooting. The forward added five rebounds, a game-high four blocks and two steals. She now has 10 career double-figure scoring games.
Mariyah Noel finished with 16 points. The guard added a game and career-high seven assists to go along with six rebounds and four steals. She now has 12 career double-figure scoring games.
Vivien Nejašmić added six rebounds and four points in 25 minutes of action off the bench.
MacKenzie Givens finished with four points, three rebounds and one block. Meri Kanerva had four points, two rebounds and one assist.
Xavier won the battle on the glass, 33-32, and held a 24-20 advantage in points in the paint. Villanova held a 33-16 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored 16 more second-chance points (16-0) than the Musketeers.
Villanova held a 24-20 advantage in points in the paint and scored five more fastbreak points (11-6).
Xavier finish with a .429 field-goal percentage (18-for-42) and went 4-for-13 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 10-for-16 from the foul line.
Villanova posted a .391 field-goal percentage (25-for-64) and knocked down a season-high 15 three pointers (15-for-32). The Wildcats were also 2-for-2 from the foul line.
Three Wildcats reached double figures, paced by Kelsey Joens who had 18 points. Brynn McCurry had 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.