Dec. 10, 2006

Box Score | Post Game Notes

CINCINNATI - Freshman forward Amber Harris was three blocks shy of a triple-double and the Musketeers swatted 12 shots as the Xavier University women's basketball team held off Coppin State, 49-45, on Sunday afternoon at Cintas Center. With the win, Xavier improves to 7-3 on the year while the Eagles slip to 5-3.

Harris led the way for XU with 11 points and established new career highs with 13 rebounds and seven blocks. Harris now stands one block shy of tying Xavier's single-season blocks record of 39 with 20 games remaining in the regular season.

Senior guard Michele Miller joined Harris in double-figures with 11 points. Miller also added five rebounds and had her streak of consecutive free throws made snapped at 24.

Xavier led 44-43 with 1:51 to go in regulation and got a big defensive stop on Coppin State's ensuing possession. Senior forward Joei Clyburn gave XU some cushion when she slashed through the lane and converted on a lay-up with 48-seconds remaining, giving Xavier a 46-43 edge.

Clyburn would end the game with eight points and four blocks.

Senior guard Suntana Granderson stole the ball from CSU's Shalamar Oakley on the next possession and classmate Miranda Green buried a couple free throws to give XU a five-point lead and effectively end any hope of a Coppin State win.

XU put the clamps on the Eagles defensively, holding Coppin State to just 27 percent (20-of-74) shooting. CSU was able to stay in the game thanks to 21 Xavier turnovers and 23 offensive rebounds. Coppin was not nearly as opportunistic as it could have been as the Eagles converted those 23 turnovers into just five points.

XU lost the battle of the boards by a 50-to-38 count and CSU held a 23-to-6 advantage on the offensive glass. However, Coppin State was only able to score six second-chance points during the contest.

Granderson did a solid defensive job on CSU star Rashida Suber, holding the guard to just 13 points on 5-of-23 shooting including 2-of-10 from long-range.

Xavier is back in action on Friday, December 15 when the team takes on Eastern Illinois. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Cintas Center.

Xavier Musketeers Women's Basketball

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