Jan. 27, 2005

Box Score

CINCINNATI - The University of Dayton women's basketball team fell at Atlantic 10 West leader Xavier, 73-54, Thursday night at the Cintas Center. Sophomore forward Jennifer Strong set a new career-high with 23 points, eclipsing the 21 she scored Sunday at Fordham. The Flyers fall to 9-10 overall, 3-5 in the A-10.

Junior forward Cara Wright added 10 rebounds and eight points for UD, while Ashley Armstrong set her career-high with seven points.

Xavier (13-5; 7-0 A-10) was led by Tara Boothe's 17 points. The Flyers shot slightly higher field-goal percentage (43.4% - 42.1%), three-point percentage (26.7% - 25.9%) and finished with one less rebound than the Musketeers (34-33), but were done in by 21 turnovers to Xavier's 13. The Musketeers also owned a 22-5 edge in free throw attempts.

Dayton fell behind 9-4 before a fast-break lay-up from Strong and an inside bucket from Wright pulled UD within one, 9-8. After Boothe scored her fourth basket, Strong answered with a three-pointer to tie the game 11-11. The Musketeers responded with a three and Xavier extended the lead to 20-13 and Strong knocked down her second three of the night that brought UD back within three.

Emily Williams banked in a shot before Miranda Green hit her second-straight three-pointer made it a 26-20 game with 3:35 before the half. Xavier then went on a 9-2 run until Strong hit another three and UD entered the break trailing 35-25. Strong led all players at intermission with 15 of UD's 25 points.

Wright scored inside to open the second half and the Musketeers answered with a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 40-27. Strong scored four more as UD closed the game to 48-39 with 11:26 remaining.

Xavier pushed out to a 52-39 lead before the Flyers chipped away and brought it back to 57-49 behind two lay-ups from the freshman guard Armstrong. But the Musketeers pulled away with a pair of three-pointers.

The Musketeers have won six-straight games and five in a row over the Flyers. Adeola Olanrewaju added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Xavier.

Strong was three-of-six from three-point range after Sunday's five-of-eight performance. She's 17-of-32 shooting in her last two games for 44 points.

The Flyers return home for their first game at UD Arena in 27 days, as the Flyers host Duquesne on Sunday, January 30, at 2:00 p.m.