The Gators
faced host Gilbert Highland in the final day of play in the Highland Lady Hawk
Thanksgiving Classic. The teams were tied at 43 entering the fourth quarter,
but Xavier was outscored 8-0 down the stretch and dropped a 61-55 decision.
Xavier
finished 2-3 in the tournament and will begin its regular season on Tuesday
(Nov. 28) with a road game in Ahwatukee against Phoenix Mountain Pointe. The
Gators will have their home opener on Friday (Dec. 1) against Mesa Skyline.
According to
Xavier coach Jennifer Gillom, there wasn’t much to like about her team’s
effort.
“We can’t
blame anyone but ourselves,’’ she said.
The Gators
also could blame some questionable calls by the officials (they were whistled
for 10 more fouls than Highland), but Gillom did not want to go down that road.
“The team
has to learn to play through all of that,’’ she said. “There are going to be
times when that happens, particularly on the road. We have to be able to step
up in the big games. That is why we wanted to come to this tournament with all
of its strong competition.’’
The learning
and maturation process “is going to be something that takes time,’’ she said. “At
this point, it isn’t so much about winning as it is about teaching. We are trying to get there, but not yet. You
can see it on the players’ faces that they are not happy.’’
The team has
yet to get consistent leadership from some of its more experienced players,
Gillom said.
“We need it,
particularly in pressure situations,’’ she said.
Xavier had a
10-6 lead midway through the first quarter. The Gators perhaps could have put
more distance between themselves and the Hawks, but did not.
The contest continued
to go back and forth in the second and third, and long-time Highland coach
Miner Webster received a technical foul with two seconds left in the third.
Xavier could convert only one of two free throws.
In the
decisive fourth, Xavier held a 55-53 lead with about 3 ½ minutes left, thanks
to a three-point basket by Addie Putnam. Those would be the last points for the
Gators as Highland made six of eight free throws in the final 2:23.
Forward
Montana Oltrogge led Xavier with 15 points. Guard Paris Rasheed-Moore had 14
points and forward Katie Hassett had another strong game inside with 10 points.
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