Box Score

MILWAUKEE— Michelle Weaver's elbow jumper with seven seconds to go proved the difference for Butler in a tightly contested 68-66 win over Xavier featuring 12 lead changes and eight ties.
 
All-BIG EAST Second Team honoree Tori Schickel poured in 28 points, 17 of which came in the second half, and grabbed 14 rebounds to go with six blocks in the upset victory. Weaver was the only other Bulldog in double-figures, notching 15 points.
 
This win gives the Bulldogs the 2-1 season series advantage over the Musketeers and improves their BIG EAST Tournament record to 2-3. The victory marks Butler's second straight in the tournament over Xavier, as the Bulldogs felled the Musketeeres in the first round last year as well.
 
For Xavier, All-BIG EAST honorable mention Raeshaun Gaffney notched 20 points and Marquia Turner added 12 of her own and grabbed seven rebounds. 
 
Schickel got the Bulldogs off to a quick start, scoring ten points in the opening frame and they lead 24-20 after one.
 
However, Xavier's defense tightened up in the second quarter, as the Musketeers held Butler to 11 points and momentarily took the lead. A late free throw by Schickel gave the Bulldogs a narrow one-point advantage heading into the break.
 
In the second half, the teams went back and forth and Xavier led by one, 53-52, after three quarters thanks to a buzzer beating put-back by Anniina Aijanen.
 
The fourth featured more of the same, as the teams swapped leads or remained tied for most of the quarter. A deep three by Butler's Sydney Buck knotted the score at 64 with 1:30 to play, but Turner hit a tough layup to give Xavier the lead once more. Schickel was fouled at the other end and drained both free throws to retie the score at 66 with a minute to go. Butler then forced a turnover and Michelle Weaver drained a jumper off of a Schickel screen to give the Bulldogs a 68-66 lead with seven seconds to play. Turner missed a layup at the buzzer to seal the Butler victory
 
Butler will take on second-seeded RV/No. 23 Creighton March 5 at noon Central in the quarterfinals at the Al McGuire Center.