Xavier Runs Out Of Gas In 2nd OT

LAS VEGAS – In its first overtime game of the season, the Xavier women’s basketball team fell in the second extra period to Ohio, 80-75. Junior Jessica Pachko posted her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds as one of four Musketeers in double-figures scoring.

With the loss, Xavier drops to 3-7 overall while Ohio improves to an even 6-6 on the year.

Senior Tyeasha Moss led the Musketeers with 18 points, four rebounds and two assists while sophomore Lynette Holmes added 17 points and six rebounds. Also in double figures for Xavier was junior Amber Gray with a career-high tying 14 points, narrowly missing the double-double with nine boards.

The Musketeers narrowly edged the Bobcats in the battle of the boards, 50-49, but were out-shot 37.7 percent to 33.8 percent. There were 25 lead changes and 13 ties throughout the contest. This was the first double-overtime game for the Musketeers since defeating Fordham 63-57 in 2OT on Mar. 4, 2004 at the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

Ohio made eight consecutive free throws in the second overtime period to pull away from Xavier. OU’s Tenishia Benson made all 14 of her shots from the line on the day, including 10 in the second overtime.

Holmes running layup with just under a minute remaining in regulation tied the two squads at 57 and effectively sending the game into overtime. Each team scored eight points in the first extra period but Ohio out-scored Xavier, 15-10, in the second overtime to claim the victory.

After trailing by as many as eight in the first half, the Musketeers battled back to within one before heading in the locker room. The Bobcats held the slim 25-24 margin after the first 20 minutes of play. Both Moss and freshman Liz Stratman had eight points for XU in the first frame.

The Bobcats were led by Porsha Harris with a game-high 29 points and 14 rebounds. Two other Bobcats also posted double-figures scoring in Benson with 20 points and Shavon Robinson with 13.

The Musketeers will close out the Duel in the Desert with a 2:30 p.m. PT (5:30 ET) match up against Oklahoma on Tuesday. Live stats and a live audio stream will be available via goxavier.com.