Box Score
CINCINNATI – Butler took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter, but they were unable to hang on for the win as Xavier posted a 57-54 victory on their home court on Senior Day. The Bulldogs had multiple looks on their final possession, but each one rimmed out. Butler finishes the regular season 14-16 overall with a 6-12 record against conference opponents.
Kindell Fincher hit a huge 3-point field goal with 2:42 to play that gave Xavier a 55-50 lead. The 'Dawgs would get it within one possession, but the final play featured
Whitney Jennings and
Kristen Spolyar on the sideline with five fouls.
Michelle Weaver got a great look that nearly sent the game into overtime, but the ball rimmed out and Xavier would hold on for their 10th win of the year.
The two evenly matched teams could not be separated after 10 minutes of action.
Whitney Jennings scored the final four points of the first quarter to pull Butler even with Xavier at 16-16. The second quarter ended in similar fashion with BU going on a 7-0 run to get back within a point at the break. Jennings hit the first 3-pointer of the game for BU with less than a minute to play and then her pull up jumper from the top of the key would make the score 33-32.
Tori Schickel saw a constant double team in the first half. She went scoreless in the first quarter, but netted six in the second frame. Imani Partlow also picked up three personal fouls trying to guard Schickel.
BU shot it well early by hitting 13 of their 23 attempts (56.5%). Balanced scoring featured Jennings with nine, Schickel and
Michelle Weaver with six and Spolyar with five.
Iman Lathan chipped in with four and
Shae Brey added two.
The 7-0 second quarter run would grow into a 14-4 scoring spree for BU in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Jennings had a pretty reverse layup on the opening possession of the second half and another quick two would move the score to 37-36.
Kristen Spolyar would get involved during the next trip down and bury a corner three off a nice assist from Lathan. The shot gave BU a 39-37 lead.
BU won the third quarter 12-10 and would take a one-point lead into the final 10 minutes. Na'Teshia Owens beat the buzzer and hit a long 3-pointer to end the third and Xavier would score the first four points of the fourth to go on a nice 7-0 run.
There wasn't much of a rhythm to the opening stages of the fourth quarter. Imani Partlow scored on the block and the only other made field goal for Xavier in the fourth was the Fincher three. Butler hit three shots in the fourth quarter, but nine points from the charity stripe from the Musketeers would be three too many.
Jennings ended the contest with a game-high 15 points. Spolyar added 12 before fouling out. Schickel's stat line was impressive with 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists.
Butler's next game will be in the opening round of the 2018 BIG EAST Championship Tournament.
2018 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament
All games played at Wintrust Arena - Chicago, Ill.
All times local – Central
Tournament Bracket
First Round – March 3
Game 1: #9 Providence vs. #8 Butler, 4 p.m. (BEDN)
Game 2: #10 Xavier vs. #7 Seton Hall, 6:30 p.m. (BEDN)
Quarterfinals – March 4
Game 3: #1 Marquette vs Game 1 winner, Noon (FS2)
Game 4: #5 St. John's vs. #4 Creighton, 2:30 p.m. (FS2)
Game 5: #2 DePaul vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. (FS2)
Game 6: #6 Georgetown vs. #3 Villanova, 8:30 p.m. (FS2)
Semifinals – March 5
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 3 p.m. (FS1)
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:30 p.m. (FS1)
Final – March 6
Game 9: Semifinal winners, 6 p.m. (FS1)
