Jan. 21, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A 15-1 deficit to start the game was too much for Saint Joseph's women's basketball team as Xavier downed the Hawks 72-55 Friday evening at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

After a scoreless first two minutes of play, the Musketeers opened up a 15-1 lead over the next four minutes. Xavier sophomore Miranda Green and junior Tara Boothe combined for all 15 of the Musketeers points, as the Hawks committed eight turnovers over that span.

Saint Joseph's scored five unanswered to bring the deficit to nine, 15-6, on a three pointer by junior Maura McBryan at 11:32.

Both teams exchanged baskets over the next five minutes, before the Musketeers opened their lead to 19, 35-16. Xavier used a 10-2 run from 6:33 to 3:09 to open up their biggest lead of the half.

Xavier went into the half up 37-22, as the Musketeers turned 16 Saint Joseph's turnovers into 21 points.

In the second stanza, both teams continued to battle. Saint Joseph's chipped away at the lead and came within 11, 43-32, on a layup by sophomore guard Whitney Ffrench at 13:04.

Xavier answered, opening its biggest lead, 63-41, on a Boothe free throw at 4:53.

The Hawks cut the deficit to 12, but it was too late the Musketeers scored the final five points enroute to their fifth Atlantic 10 victory of the season.

For the game, the Hawks went 20-46 from the field for 43.5 percent, while Xavier finished 25-56 for 44.6 percent. Saint Joseph's won the battle of the boards 32-31, but turned the ball over 27 times to the Musketeers 15. Xavier converted those turnovers into 30 points.

Individually, Ffrench led the Hawks with a career-best 17 points to go with three assists. McBryan was the only other Saint Joseph's player to score in double digits, pouring in 10.

Boothe led all scorers with 28 points and added eight rebounds. Green added 16 points to go with five assists and five steals.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 4-14 on the season and 2-4 in Atlantic 10 play. The Musketeers improve to 11-5 overall and 5-0 in the A-10.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday afternoon at Massachusetts. Tip off is scheduled fro 5 p.m. at the Mullins Center.