Nov. 12, 2011
CINCINNATI– Head Coach Amy Waugh earned her first career win today at Cintas Center when the Musketeers defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 66-61. Senior guard Tyeasha Moss tallied a double-double as she had a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. This was Moss’ first career points-rebound double-double and second career double-double.
Xavier improves to 28-13 all-time in season openers and 16-5 in home openers. This is the fourth consecutive win against Eastern Kentucky, but the Colonels still lead the all-time series 6-5.
Coach Waugh’s first victory didn’t come easy though. XU went back and forth with EKU the entire game as the score was tied five times and there were five lead changes. Xavier earned its final lead of the game with 3:52 left after Moss buried her third three-point shot. The victory was sealed with free-throws by sophomore guard Shatyra Hawkes who hit five in the final two minutes.
Moss worked hard for her points getting to the charity stripe seven times and making all of her attempts. Sophomore guard Lynette Holmes and red-shirt junior forward Jessica Pachko both added 11 points. Red-shirt junior forward Amber Gray contributed eight points and eight rebounds in the Xavier win.
Xavier dominated in the paint outscoring Eastern Kentucky 28-14. XU outrebounded EKU 44-39, including 14 offensive rebounds. The Musketeers were also able to get to the line making 21-of-31 (67.7 percent).
Xavier entered intermission with a 30-27 edge over Eastern Kentucky. The Musketeers battled their way back from a nne point deficit. Moss lead all scores at halftime with 12 points.
The Musketeer’s defense helped them earn the lead as they forced 12 turnovers and limited the Colonels to 36 percent (9-of-25) from the field. Xavier was able to work the ball down low as it scored 16 of its 30 points in the paint.
The Musketeers got off to a slow start as the Colonels went on a 13-6 run to open the game. After the second media timeout XU was able to string together eight consecutive stops and cut the lead to 18-15 with 6:39 remaining in the first half.
The Musketeers got their first lead at 24-23 with 3:43 left in the first half after Moss was fouled, made the lay-up and the free-throw. Moss made her first three-pointer with 12 seconds left to give the Musketeers the lead as they entered the locker rooms.
Carla Booth led EKU with 15 points and shot 4-of-5 from behind the arc.
The Musketeers travel to Mississippi State for their 8:00p.m. game this Monday, Nov. 14. Xavier defeated Mississippi State last year 61-36 at Cintas Center. Stay tuned to GoXavier.com for more information on Xavier women’s basketball.
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