Xavier Defeats Friars as Three Musketeers Score in Double Digits

In a notable game on Thursday, the Xavier Musketeers defeated the Providence Friars with a score of 61-47. This victory marked a pivotal moment for the Musketeers as they improved to a 5-3 record, with 1-1 in the BIG EAST Conference. Meanwhile, the Friars fell to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in BIG EAST play.

Xavier Maintains Control

The Musketeers led throughout the match, at one point holding a 15-point lead, 30-15, just under four minutes before halftime. Providence made a push, narrowing the gap to six points at 49-43 with 8:39 remaining. However, Xavier closed the game with a strong 12-4 run, securing the win by 14 points.

Key Performers

• Mariyah Noel: Scored a game-high 20 points with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
• Savannah White: Came close to a double-double, finishing with 16 points and a team-leading 9 rebounds, along with 5 assists.
• MacKenzie Givens: Contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds, marking her fifth career game in double figures.
• Meri Kanerva: Supported with 7 rebounds, 5 points, and 4 assists.

Game Statistics

Xavier showcased solid shooting with a field-goal percentage of .442 (23-for-52), including 7-for-17 from three-point range and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line. The Musketeers dominated the rebounding battle, leading 38-34, while also scoring 12 points off turnovers compared to Providence’s 8.

Defensive Highlights

The Musketeers restricted the Friars to only .317 shooting from the field (20-for-63) and held them to a dismal 3-for-20 from beyond the arc. This performance not only resulted in the fewest points allowed by Xavier in a BIG EAST game this season but also reflected their improved defensive strategy.

Historical Context

This victory was particularly significant for Xavier, marking their first win against Providence since February 13, 2022. It also snapped a six-game losing streak versus the Friars. Additionally, the win was Xavier’s largest margin of victory in a BIG EAST game since February 20, 2022. A crowd of 3,773 attended the game, making it the 14th largest in Cintas Center history.

Upcoming Fixture

Next, the Musketeers will face the University of Cincinnati in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. This game is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and The Varsity Network.