Dec. 15, 2006

Box Score

CINCINNATI -- Senior captain Suntana Granderson poured in a game-high 24 points and freshman forward Amber Harris broke XU's single-season blocked shots record as the Xavier University women's basketball team downed Eastern Illinois by a 90-73 score on Friday evening at Cintas Center. With the win, XU improves to 8-3 on the year while the Lady Panthers slip to 4-6.

Granderson's 24 came on 11-of-16 shooting and the South Bend, Ind. native also registered four steals in 26 minutes of action. Harris blocked her third shot of the game with 14:22 left in the second half to eclipse the previous Xavier single-season record of 39 blocked shots. Harris also added 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and a career-high five steals.

Senior center DeAnna Mason enjoyed the best game of her XU career, scoring a career-high 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting while snaring seven rebounds.

Freshman guard Alesia Barringer also established a new career high with 11 points. Barringer was 5-of-6 from the floor and dished-out three assists. Senior guard Michele Miller chipped in with 13 points. She added seven rebounds and dropped four dimes. XU is now 24-5 all-time when Miller scores in double-figures.

EIU tied the score at 3-3 one minute into the contest but the Musketeers seized control with a 13-0 run over the next 6:40. Barringer capped the run with a pull-up jumper in transition to give XU a 16-3 lead.

The Lady Panthers would cut the deficit to 10 points, 26-16 with 7:40 to go but XU answered with a 10-2 run over the next 2:50 and took a commanding 36-18 lead at the 3:50 mark.

Xavier stayed in control and went into the locker room leading 46-28.

The Musketeers cruised to a 25 point lead, 90-65, with 2:30 left in regulation.

Although the pace of play could be described as frenetic, XU managed to take care of the ball. The Musketeers only committed 10 turnovers and dished-out 20 assists. Xavier got plenty of good shots and took advantage, going 36-of-71 (50.7 percent) from the field.

The Musketeers will be back in action on Friday, December 22 when Ball State travels to Cintas Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m.