Xavier 69, Butler 62
The Musketeers led start to finish last night in historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, but a once-17-point margin was dwindled to three with 33 seconds left after game-leading scorer Whitney Jennings hit a jumper for the Bulldogs. Jennings finished with 25 on the night, her BIG EAST-leading seventh 20-point game of the year. After Shae Brey forced a Xavier (8-4, 1-0 BIG EAST) turnover, Kristen Spolyar got an open look at the game-tying triple but the shot rimmed out. Kindell Fincher, who went for a Xavier-best 20 points on the night, clinched the win with four free-throws down the stretch as the Bulldogs were forced to foul. Butler (8-5, 0-1) scored 26 points off 24 Musketeer miscues to climb back into the contest, but 28 bench points for Xavier, including 15 points and six boards by Imani Partlow, proved too much.
Full Recap
Up Next
A full day of BIG EAST women’s basketball is set for Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET when No. 18/18 Villanova travels to Providence. Both teams are looking for their first league wins after falling in Thursday night’s openers. Coming off a win over the nationally ranked Wildcats, Creighton hosts Georgetown at 2 p.m. Action continues at 7:30 p.m. when Seton Hall visits RV/RV Marquette before the nightcap at 8 p.m. sees RV/RV DePaul hosting St. John’s. All four games can be streamed live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, while the Blue Demon-Red Storm tilt is also airing on FOX Sports Regional Networks, including the YES Network and MASN 2. For the game’s full distribution, see below.
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday
18/18 Villanova at Providence, 1 p.m.*^
Georgetown at Creighton, 2 p.m.*^
Seton Hall at RV/RV Marquette, 7:30 p.m.*^
St. John’s at RV/RV DePaul, 8 p.m.*^
*BIG EAST Contest
^BEDN
^FOX Sports Regional Networks
FOX Sports Arizona
FOX Sports Detroit (Plus)
FOX Sports San Diego
FOX Sports South (Non Hurricanes, Predators & Pelicans)
FOX Sports Southwest (Non Grizzlies, Pelicans & Spurs)
FOX Sports West (Non Kings)
MASN 2
YES
FOX College Sports Central (tape delay – 12/31, 12 a.m.)