Whitney Jennings brings the ball down the court during a game this season. Jennings scored 20 points in Butler’s win over Xavier on Jan. 11. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.

DREW FAVAKEH | STAFF REPORTER | dfavakeh@butler.edu

The Butler women’s basketball team reeled off their ninth win in a row with a dominating 63-41 road victory over the Xavier Musketeers on Jan. 11. Xavier fell to 10-6 overall (1-4 in Big East play) while Butler improved to 15-1 overall (5-0).

Whitney Jennings led the way with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 4-of-6 from deep. This was Katherine Strong’s third straight game reaching double-digit points, as she scored 18 points on 8-of-18 shooting.

After Xavier outscored Butler 11-10 in the first quarter, the Bulldogs heated up to score 14 points in the second quarter. The fiery scoring explosion came in a third quarter in which Butler tallied 26 points.

Per usual, defense was Butler’s calling card, as the team held Xavier to only 41 points, the lowest total their defense has given up against a Big East team this year. In fact, that was the lowest scoring output Butler has allowed an opponent since November 20, in a match against a UMass-Lowell team that is now 6-11.

Butler forced Xavier to cough up the ball in pivotal moments. The Bulldogs capitalized on the Musketeers’ mistakes, scoring 18 points off turnovers. Xavier shot 28.6 percent from the field, completing only 16 baskets in total.

Butler’s next game comes against Providence on Friday, Jan. 18. The game is in Providence, Rhode Island, where the Friars are 6-3 this season. Providence is on a two-game winning streak and is 2-3 in conference play.