Dec. 5, 2007

Xavier Stuns No. 24 NC State, 51-49

Xavier might have arrived at historic Reynolds Coliseum on Tuesday night with back-to-back losses under its belt, but it sure didn't play like it. The Musketeers (5-3) used sound defense to snap a six-game NC State (8-2) winning streak, 51-49. The loss marks the Pack's first defeat on Kay Yow court since falling to No. 1 Duke on Jan. 18 last season.

Prior to the game State had toppled its last 30 non-conference foes at home, but apparently nobody bothered to tell that to Kevin McGuff's squad. Xavier forced 14 Wolfpack turnovers, 10 in the second half, while holding NC State to a 35.4 percent shooting clip. The Pack also struggled from behind the arch, hitting just one of 14 attempts from three-point range, a season-low.

Neither team got a single point from its bench.

After being held in check for the first time all season by Temple, Khadijah Whittington was back to her old self, tying her career high with 26 points while pulling in nine boards. Nikitta Gartrell added eight points, while Shayla Fields and Lucy Ellison each had six.

Miami Falls to Florida International

The University of Miami women's basketball team (4-4) came out on fire in the first half, but couldn't maintain their momentum in the second as Florida International (2-5) pulled off a 60-58 come from behind victory at the BankUnited Center.

FIU's LaQuetta Ferguson had a game-high 26 points to lead the Golden Panthers to victory. She scored 13 points in each half, including back-to-back three pointers late in the second period to tie and then give her team a 52-49 lead.

Maurita Reid once again led her team in scoring with 15 points. The senior's playing time was limited in the second half due to leg cramps, but when she was in the game she didn't show signs of slowing down. With the score 41-40 in favor of FIU, Reid drove down the lane and drew a foul and still made the shot. She missed the free-throw, but Lamese James was there for the put-back and the one-point deficit was turned into three-point lead, with only 10 minutes left in the game.