Jan. 7, 2007

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CINCINNATI - Senior guard Michele Miller poured in a career-high 26 points and was rebound shy of a double-double to lead the Xavier University women's basketball team over North Carolina State by a 76-69 score on Sunday afternoon at Cintas Center. With the win, Xavier's third straight, the Musketeers improve to 11-4 on the year while the Wolfpack fall to 11-5.

The win improves Xavier's record to 4-3 vs. the power conferences (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and Pac-10) this season and 12-10 since Kevin McGuff took over as head coach prior to the 2002-03 season.

The win marks the sixth time in the last nine years in which XU has won at least 11 of its first 15 games to begin the season.

Miller's career best came on 8-of-13 shooting and six of her nine rebounds came on the defensive glass. The Cincinnati native also dished-out three assists, recorded one steal and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe.

Three other Musketeers scored in double-figures, led by freshman Amber Harris' 14 points. Harris snared six rebounds, swatted two shots and hit a pair of big 3-point field goals to quell an N.C. State run in the second half.

Senior guard Suntana Granderson scored 13 points and was 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Classmate Joei Clyburn chipped in with 11 points (nine coming the game's first five minutes) and nine rebounds. Senior center DeAnna Mason came up big on the glass, collecting a career-high 11 boards.

The Wolfpack cut Xavier's 37-25 halftime lead to three points, 66-63, after Nikitta Gartrell buried a pair of free throws with 3:40 remaining in regulation.

However, Harris answered with a turn around jumper on the ensuing possession to spark a decisive 8-0 run over the next 1:40 to take control of the game. The run saw Harris, Granderson and Miller go a collective 6-of-6 from the free throw line.

Khadijah Whittington led the way for the Wolfpack with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Xavier once again attempted more free throws than its opponent made as the Musketeers went 29-for-44 (65.9 percent) from the charity stripe. The Wolfpack went 15-of-21 on free throws.

N.C. State won the battle of the boards by a 49-to-47 margin but XU held a 34-to-28 edge on the defensive glass.

XU once again took care of the ball, committing only 11 turnovers on the night. Miranda Green was solid at the point, dropping four dimes while committing only one turnover.

The Musketeers stormed out of the gate, seizing an 8-0 lead after Clyburn converted on an old-fashioned 3-point play at the 17:30 mark. N.C. State would rally though, answering with a 12-5 run over the next 6:50 to close to within one point, 13-12, at the 10:40 mark.

XU would not allow the Wolfpack to knot it up though as Xavier scored the next six points and earning some breathing room.

N.C. State whittled the XU lead back to four points, 25-21, after Chanita Jordan connected on a turn around jumper with 3:40 left but the Musketeers ended the first half with a flurry.

Xavier ended the half on a 12-4 run and scored the last six points of the first stanza to seize a 37-25 lead.

Xavier will hit the road for a four-game stretch, beginning with a showdown at Dayton on Tuesday, January 9. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at UD Arena.