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Xavier Women Pick Up Big Win in Crosstown Shootout
By
Musketeer Madness,
12/7/2025
Xavier women’s basketball leaned on balance, toughness, and late-game composure Sunday afternoon, pulling away down the stretch to secure a 77–70 road win over Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena. The victory lifted the Musketeers to 6–3 on the season and gave them control for much of the rivalry matchup, leading for more than 33 minutes.
MacKenzie Givens powered Xavier with a game-high 25 points, finishing an efficient 9-of-15 from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line. Mariyah Noel added 22 points, attacking the paint and sealing the game at the stripe in the final seconds, while Meri Kanerva chipped in 17 points and six assists to keep the offense humming. Xavier shot 45.9 percent overall and an impressive 87.5 percent at the foul line, a decisive edge in a tight contest.
Xavier set the tone early, racing out to a 19–11 first-quarter lead behind crisp ball movement and pressure defense that produced early turnovers. The Musketeers converted those miscues into easy points, scoring 21 points off Cincinnati turnovers on the afternoon and repeatedly pushing the tempo for transition opportunities.
The Bearcats answered with a strong second quarter, outscoring Xavier 28–19 to take a one-point halftime lead. Cincinnati found a rhythm from the perimeter and in transition, briefly swinging momentum before the break. Still, Xavier remained composed, continuing to attack inside and keeping the game within reach despite the surge.
Coming out of halftime, Xavier reasserted control. The Musketeers won the third quarter 21–15, sparked by Givens’ interior scoring and Noel’s activity on both ends of the floor. Xavier’s defense tightened, limiting Cincinnati to 25 percent shooting in the period and turning stops into timely baskets to reclaim the lead.
The fourth quarter delivered plenty of drama as Cincinnati cut the deficit to one and briefly tied the game. Each time, Xavier answered. A late three from Givens and strong free-throw shooting down the stretch proved decisive, as the Musketeers closed on an 8–3 run to put the game away.
Xavier also controlled the paint, outscoring Cincinnati 36–18 inside, and held a slim edge on the glass while forcing 21 turnovers. With poise in key moments and contributions up and down the lineup, the Musketeers walked out of Fifth Third Arena with a hard-earned rivalry win and momentum heading deeper into the season.
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