The Billiken women’s basketball team (9-12, 3-3 A-10) powered past Xavier 66-49 on Thursday, Jan. 31 for its first win against Xavier since 1988. The Billikens were led in scoring by Cincinnati-native Desirae Ball with a career high of 22 points.

“I’m very proud of her,” head coach Lisa Stone said, “It was a complete game on both ends. She defended well and played with a high level of intelligence and confidence.”

Lorreal Jones also chipped in with 8 points and 12 rebounds, narrowly missing her third straight double-double. The Billikens also out-rebounded Xavier 32-16, their largest advantage in Atlantic 10 play this year. The two teams played evenly during the first half, with Xavier taking a one-point lead into halftime.

The Billikens shined through in the second half. After shooting 42 percent in the first half, the Billikens unloaded on Xavier, shooting a blistering 64 percent, including 4-4 from three-point range. They held Xavier to just 32 percent shooting.

“Our identity is defense and our team has really bought in,” said coach Stone of the second-half defense. While this was the ninth win for the women this season, it was the fifth road win and it was the eighth time that they have held an opponent under 50 points, showing that the team is growing and maturing.

“We need to keep improving and be confident that our defense is the key to success,” coach Stone said of the confidence that this kind of victory gives the team.

The women next play Thursday, Feb. 7th at Chaifetz Arena against the University of Massachusetts.