WBB Takes Down Xavier 65-46

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Marquette women's basketball team (12-5, 5-3 BIG EAST) earned a road win over Xavier Friday night, winning 65-46 at the Cintas Center.

The Golden Eagles got off to a hot start and never looked back, opening the game on a 16-4 run, while knocking down each of their first four 3-point attempts. Xavier fought back with a 14-10 second-quarter to cut the MU lead to 10 at the half.

Marquette won the fourth quarter 17-9 including an 8-0 run to close out the game to earn its first road win of BIG EAST play.

While playing in her home state of Ohio, graduate forward Lauren Van Kleunen led all scorers with 17 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Junior guard Jordan King chipped in 17 as well, along with two boards, three assists and three steals.

"It was great to come back to my hometown and be able to play in front of family and friends," Van Kleunen said. "Xavier's a heck of a team, we understood that. They're never going to go away, and we learned from our Villanova game how important it is to keep stepping on it and keep that pace."

Sophomore forward Liza Karlen had a career-game statistically as well, filling the stat sheet with nine points, nine rebounds, and career-highs of eight assists and four blocks.

The Musketeers (6-10, 1-6 BIG EAST) were led by Kae Satterfield, who finished with 14 points.

Coach Duffy earned the 99th win of her coaching career (99-40). She will look for her 100th Sunday afternoon at Butler.
Liza Karlen posted career-highs in both assists (8) and blocks (4).
Karlen returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in MU's previous three games.
Jordan King's 17 points were just one shy of her season high.
The Golden Eagles forced 22 turnovers on nine steals, while committing just 12.
Marquette never trailed during the game.
This was the seventh time this season Marquette has held an opponent under 50 points.
Marquette is now 18-7 all-time against Xavier, and has won 12-straight meetings with the Musketeers.
Xavier's Ayanna Townsend fouled out at the :39 mark in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT: Marquette remains on the road for its second game of a midwest back-to-back, as it travels to Indianapolis to take on Butler on Sunday, Jan. 23. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. (CT) and the game will be broadcast by BEDN on FloHoops.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).