Feb. 10, 2010

Box Score

CINCINNATI, OHIO - A frantic 11-0 run brought the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team within three points late, but #6 Xavier forced a turnover and made four free throws to hold on for the 63-56 win Wednesday at the Cintas Center.

A pair of free throws by sophomore guard Michelle Baker started the Saint Joseph's run, with a three pointer by sophomore guard Katie Kuester with 1:22 to go making a five-point game.

Following a defensive stop, SJU senior forward Ashley Logue scored a transition layup to make it a 59-56 contest with :57 to go.

The Hawks got a steal from senior forward Brittany Ford and had a chance to tie with under 30 seconds.

However, Xavier's Special Jennings forced a Hawk turnover, and made four straight free throws to salvage the win for the Musketeers.

In the first half, The Musketeers quickly took control of the game, jumping out to an 11-0 advantage as the Hawks went 0-for-11 from the floor to start the game.

Consecutive baskets from Baker cut the Saint Joseph's deficit to just seven, but Xavier responded with four straight points to regain a double-digit lead, 15-4.

The Musketeers kept the Hawks at a comfortable distance over the final 10 minutes of the half, never letting SJU get any closer than eight points and taking a 29-19 edge into the second stanza. Xavier scored 13 points off of eight Hawk turnovers and outscored Saint Joseph's 22-8 in the paint during the period.

Saint Joseph's kept coming at the Musketeers in the second half, making it a six-point game, 46-40, on a three pointer by senior guard Mariame Djouara at 9:59.

Xavier refused to give in though, using a 13-5 run over the next 5:39 to take a 59-45 lead on a three pointer by Jennings with 4:20 to go, leading to the hectic final minutes.

Individually, Baker led SJU with 12 points, while ford grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go with six points.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Saturday when the Hawks host Saint Louis at 2 p.m.