Blackwell, Gaffney Lead Musketeers to Sixth Straight Win

Thursday, December 31

Cincinnati, Ohio

1:30 P.M.

Xavier University

11-2, 2-0

Villanova University

7-5, 1-1

OT 1

Villanova

Xavier

Blackwell, Gaffney Lead Musketeers to Sixth Straight Win

12.31.15 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Xavier defeats Villanova, 74-67, in overtime on Thursday afternoon

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Maddison Blackwell and Raeshaun Gaffney combined for 52 points to lead the Musketeers to a 74-67 overtime victory over Villanova on Thursday afternoon.

Xavier moved to 11-2 (2-0 BIG EAST) on the year, while the Wildcats dropped to 7-5 (1-1 BIG EAST). The Musketeers have now won six straight games, their longest winning streak since capturing the final six games of the 2012-13 regular season.

Xavier picked up its first ever win over the Wildcats, improving to 1-5 in the all-time series. The Musketeers also started conference play 2-0 for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

Blackwell finished the game with a career-high 27 points on 11-for-15 shooting while adding 12 rebounds for her third career double-double. The junior forward's 11 field goals are the most by a Xavier player since Tyeasha Moss hit 11 on Jan. 28, 2012 versus Rhode Island.

Gaffney added a career-high 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting. The junior guard was also 8-for-9 from the foul line, including 5-for-5 in overtime.

Xavier had two players score 20 or more points in a game for the first time since March 1, 2015 versus St. John's.

Xavier finished the game 22-for-25 from the foul line, while Villanova was 13-for-14. The Musketeers hit 17 of their final 18 free throw attempts in the game.

The Musketeers held a 44-33 advantage on the glass, led by Aliyah Zantt's career-high 17 rebounds - the most in a game by a XU player since Jenna Crittendon's 17 rebounds against Wright State on Dec. 15, 2012.

Xavier scored seven unanswered points to open the game and take an early lead over the Wildcats. The Musketeers hit 50 percent of their shot attempts (8-for-14) in the first quarter to lead, 19-11, at the conclusion of the period.

Villanova bounced back to outscore the Musketeers, 22-10, in the second quarter and take a 33-29 advantage into the locker room. The Wildcats ended the half on a 13-4 run capped by an Adrianna Hahn three pointer as time expired.

Blackwell hit her first six shots of the game and finished the half 7-for-9 from the floor to lead all scorers with 17 points. She added eight rebounds as the Musketeers held a 20-17 advantage on the glass.

The Musketeers out scored the Wildcats, 12-8, in the third quarter to even the score at 41.

Xavier opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 50-43 advantage with 5:35 left in regulation. The Wildcats hit five of their next seven shots to make a 20-11 run and take a 63-61 lead with nine seconds left in the game. Following a Xavier timeout, Briana Glover hit a layup with four seconds on the clock to force overtime.

Xavier hit back-to-back free throws on its second possession of overtime to take a 65-63 lead over the Wildcats. The Musketeers sealed the victory from the foul line as they went 7-for-7 in overtime. Defensively, Xavier limited the Wildcats to 1-for-9 shooting in overtime.

Hahn led three Wildcats in double figures with a career-high 25 points on 7-for-11 shooting with five, three pointers.

Xavier opens a three-game BIG EAST road swing at Butler on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.