CINCINNATI - Freshman Meri Kanerva scored a career-high 20 points in Thursday's 65-60 loss to DePaul at Cintas Center.

The Musketeers moved to 5-9 (0-3 BIG EAST), while the Blue Demons improved to 7-9 (2-1 BIG EAST).

Xavier continues BIG EAST action on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at No. 7 UConn. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. from the XL Center with the game being aired nationally on SNY.

 

• Xavier was limited to only two baskets in the opening quarter as the Blue Demons took a 20-8 advantage after 10 minutes of action. The Musketeers responded by hitting 53.8 percent (7-for-13) of their shot attempts in the second quarter, outscoring DePaul by two points (19-17) to close within 10 points (37-27) at the break.
• The Musketeers battled back to close within one point twice in the fourth quarter. A Meri Kanerva basket with 6:05 left in regulation made the score 54-53, but DePaul outscored Xavier, 11-7, to close the game and escape Cintas Center with the win.
• The Musketeers outscored DePaul, 31-28, in the second half.
• Meri Kanerva scored a team and career-high 20 points on 7-for-18 shooting with four 3-pointers. She also dished out a game and career-high seven assists. The guard now has nine career double-figure scoring games.
• Aizhanique Mayo scored 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting with three 3-pointers in 18 minutes of action off the bench. She added four rebounds. The guard now has 15 career double-figure scoring games.
• Petra Oborilova rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points. She made three 3-pointers, dished out five assists and pulled down three rebounds. The forward has scored 10 or more points in a game 10 times in her career.
• Loren Christie added a team-high nine rebounds to go along with seven points and a game-high seven blocks. The seven blocks are the most in a game by a BIG EAST player this season, while ranking tied for 10th in the NCAA. The seven blocks also rank tied for fourth in single-game school history.
• Irune Orio added seven rebounds, four points and two assists in 24 minutes off the bench.
• Xavier finished the game with a .396 field-goal percentage (21-for-53) and went 11-for-26 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 7-for-15 from the foul line.
• Xavier matched its season high in three pointers made with 11. The Musketeers also made 11 three pointers vs Temple on Dec. 21, 2024.
• Xavier limited DePaul to a season-low .355 field-goal percentage (22-for-62). The Blue Demons were also 6-for-19 from behind the arc and 15-for-23 from the foul line.
• DePaul won the battle on the glass, 40-36, and held a 26-8 advantage in points off of turnovers. The Blue Demons also scored four more second-chance points (17-13) than Xavier and held a 26-18 advantage in points in the paint.
• DePaul also scored nine more fastbreak points (12-3). Xavier held an 18-5 advantage in bench points.

 



 

Women's Basketball vs DePaul by Xavier Musketeers on Exposure