Nov. 15, 2007

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CINCINNATI - Sophomore sensation Amber Harris poured in a game-high 30 points including 15 in a six-minute stretch late in the second half to lead the Xavier University women's basketball team to a 72-68 come-back victory over Penn State on Thursday evening at Cintas Center.  With the win, Xavier improves to 1-1 on the year while the Lady Lions slip to 3-1. 

The Musketeers were behind by as many as nine points in the first half but rallied and trailed by two points, 30-28, at the break.  The rally was a sign of the things to come as XU once again fell behind by nine points, 51-42, after Janessa Wolff connected on a couple free throws with 6:30 remaining in regulation. 

Harris then took over, sparking a 26-7 Xavier run over the next 5:50 to put the Musketeers up 68-60 with under one minute to go.  In the midst of the run, XU led 62-60 after Mashea Williams hit a pull-up jumper.  On the ensuing possession, freshman center Ta'Shia Phillips was fouled and buried her first free throw attempt.  Phillips missed the second try but sophomore Maureen Hester tipped the rebound to Harris who collected the ball, made a lay-up and was fouled to effectively ice the game. 

Harris' 30 came on 10-of-28 shooting and XU's all-time blocked shots leader also registered five rejections on the night.  Nine of her 13 rebounds came on the defensive glass and she scored nine consecutive points for the Musketeers during the decisive rally. 

Junior guard Jerri Taylor joined Harris in double-figures with 14 points and Hester chipped in with a career-high 11 points and eight rebounds.  Phillips tied for high game with 13 rebounds, five coming on the offensive glass in 36 minutes of action.

XU shot only 34.8 percent on the night but out-rebounded the Lady Lions by a 43-to-42 count.  XU also took care of the ball, committing only nine turnovers.

Tyra Grant scored 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting to pace Penn State.

XU is back in action on Sunday, November 18 when the team welcomes Valparaiso to Cintas Center.  Game time is set for 2 p.m.  

Xavier vs. Penn State

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

·          Sophomore Amber Harris scored 12 the last 19 points in the second half.

·          After tonight's win McGuff's record at Xavier now stands at 107-51.

·          Xavier has now gone 66-4 (.943) in five seasons under McGuff when scoring at least 70 points.

·          Tonight's win improves Xavier's record to 22-35 (.386) overall when trailing at the break under McGuff.

·          With tonight's win XU is 90-23 at Cintas Center since the facility opened up for the 2000-01 season.

·          Xavier ran its span of games without consecutive losses to 67.

·          The Musketeers have now won 16 straight home openers.

·          Freshman point guard Special Jennings went 6-for-6 from the free throw line vs. Penn State and is now 12-of-12 from the line this year.

·          Harris has now scored 30 or more points twice in her career and has scored 20 or more points on eight occasions.