Jan. 12, 2011

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Despite leading by four points early in the second half, Saint Joseph's women's basketball team's upset bid against #8 Xavier fell short as the Musketeers topped SJU, 75-54, Wednesday afternoon at Hagan Arena. The Hawks, who led 34-30 two minutes into the final frame, were held to 19.4 percent shooting from the floor (6-of-31) in the half as Xavier outscored them 45-23.

Following a first half in which Saint Joseph's (11-5, 1-1 Atlantic 10) took its first lead in the closing minutes, freshman guard Erin Shields gave her team its biggest lead of the day as her three pointer at 18:34 opened a 34-30 advantage. Xavier countered though with eight straight points as Ta'Shia Phillips scored four of her game-high 20 points during the quick spurt.

Following a Shields' three pointer that made it a 38-37 contest, Xavier took over on both ends, scoring 18-straight points in just under four minutes. The Musketeers went 5-of-5 from the field and hit five free throws during that stretch, while causing four turnovers and holding the Hawks to 0-of-8 from the floor.

Xavier would never allow Saint Joseph's to threaten as it upped its lead to as many as 26 points and finished the half 17-of-30 from the field (56.7 percent).

In the first half, Xavier controlled momentum early, but couldn't shake the Hawks. The Musketeers twice built leads of seven points of more, but Saint Joseph's countered each time, with a three pointer by junior guard Katie Kuester giving SJU a 31-30 lead for the final 1:20 of the half and heading into the second stanza.

For the game, Saint Joseph's hit 19-of-63 from the floor (30.2 percent), 4-of-12 from behind the arc and 12-of-16 from the foul line. Shields finished with a team-best 12 points to go with six rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Ashley Prim was the only other Hawk in double figures, finishing with 11 points and a team-best three assists.

At the other end, Xavier shot 43.3 percent from the floor (29-of-67), while hitting 6-of-24 from behind the arc and 11-of-16 from the line. The Musketeers won the battle of the boards 52-36 and outscored the Hawks 47-18 in the paint and 22-2 in second chance points.

Individually for Xavier, Phillips added 17 rebounds to go with her 20 points, while Amber Harris added a double-double of 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Tyesha Moss was the third member of the team in double-figures, adding 17 points as Xavier improves to 13-2 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Saturday when it hosts Charlotte at 2 p.m.

*** Photos from today's game available at www.sidephotos.com.