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Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Kyla Mason (21) shoots as Iowa City Liberty’s Ava Meyer (20) reaches up to defend in the first quarter of the Tuesday’s game at Xavier High School. The Saints won, 67-43. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Xavier’s Libby Fandel (13) shoots under pressure from Liberty’s Haley Schroeder (22). Fandel scored a game-high 19 points in the Saints’ 67-43 win. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Xavier’s Ava Turner (5) gains control of the ball after fighting for control with Liberty’s Haley Schroeder (22) and Ava Meyer (20). (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
CEDAR RAPIDS — This is a time for resolutions, and the Xavier Saints made a rather ambitious one before returning from the holiday break:
Less than 10 turnovers per game.
Tom Lilly’s response: “OK, it’s up to you.”
So far, so good. So very good.
Class 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier was crisp as could be in its January return. The Saints shot nearly 50 percent from the field and posted a nifty 17-5 assist-to-turnover ledger in an impressive 67-43 girls’ basketball conquest of 5A No. 12 Iowa City Liberty on Tuesday at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.
“Only five (turnovers)?” senior Kyla Mason said. “Our goal is 10. Five is awesome.”
The reigning 4A state champion, Xavier (9-1) had been living dangerously before the break, winning six games by 10 points or less.
This one, after the first few minutes, was a no-doubter. The Saints led 18-8 after a quarter, and it was 33-20 at intermission.
Crisp as a freshly opened bag of Fritos.
“We didn’t play bad,” Lilly said. “We were a little anxious early. But it was nervous energy, and I can’t fault them for that.”
Libby Fandel, a sophomore all-stater, led the Saints with 19 points, hitting 8 of 12 shots from the floor. Mason added 18, and Sydney Huber provided 10.
“Over break, we conditioned a lot,” Fandel said. “Our scrimmages didn’t go the best. But we learned a lot of things that helped a lot.”
Emma Arnold distributed four of the Saints’ 17 assists. And the Saints defended, holding the Lightning (6-4) to 14-of-55 shooting (25.5 percent).
“I think we can be a pretty solid defensive team when we want to be,” Lilly said.
Jasmine Barney led Liberty with 11 points.
Tuesday’s game did not count in the MVC standings. The rematch — Jan. 27 at Liberty — probably will play a major role in the Mississippi Division race.
Both teams are 4-0 in league play.
BOYS: Xavier 59, Liberty 50
Aidan Yamilkoski scored 13 points in the third quarter, including all 10 in a pivotal 10-0 run that helped send the 3A top-rated Saints to 8-0.
Xavier faced a 29-20 deficit midway through the second period, but worked its way within 31-30 by halftime.
Yamilkoski’s surge put the Saints in front, 40-33. The margin peaked at 13, then the Saints held on after Liberty (3-3) got within 52-47.
Yamilkoski finished with 21 points. Joe Bean added 13 points, Josef Lemker 11.
Da’Shon Fisher paced Liberty with 20 points. Trey Hughes added 18.
Cedar Rapids Xavier 67, Iowa City Liberty 43
At C.R. Xavier
IOWA CITY LIBERTY (43): Avery Gaudet 2-7 4-4 8, Jasmine Barney 3-12 4-6 11, Kennedy Daugherty 2-5 0-2 4, Ava Meyer 1-7 1-2 3, Madeline Casey 4-14 0-0 9, Haley Schroeder 2-6 1-1 6, Janessa Mosley 0-1 0-0 0, Bella Tafolla 0-3 0-0 0, Libby Allen 0-1 2-4 2, Kennedy Goodheart 0-0 0-0 0, Sarah Roe 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 14-55 12-19 43.
CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER (67): Emma Arnold 2-7 0-0 5, Libby Fandel 8-12 0-0 19, Sydney Huber 4-6 1-2 10, Kyla Mason 6-12 6-8 18, Lexi Turner 0-2 4-6 4, Ava Turner 0-1 0-0 0, Aaliyah Beier 2-3 0-0 4, Madden Wilson 2-5 0-0 5, Reese Komenda 0-0 0-0 0, Carley Jonker 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor Rexroth 0-0 0-0 0, Jaselle Lang 0-0 0-0 0, Katie Pilcher 1-2 0-0 2, Brooklyn Emerson 0-0 0-0 0, Maizey Fisher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-52 11-16 67.
Iowa City Liberty 8 12 15 8 — 43
C.R. Xavier 18 15 23 11 — 67
3-point goals: Liberty 3-23 (Gaudet 0-2, Barney 1-4, Meyer 0-3, Casey 1-9, Schroeder 1-3, Tafolla 0-2, Allen 0-1), Xavier 6-14 (Arnold 1-3 , Fandel 3-4, Huber 1-2, L. Turner 0-1, Beier 0-1, Wilson 1-3). Team fouls: Liberty 11, Xavier 17. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Liberty 39 (Daugherty 11), Xavier 39 (L. Turner 6). Assists: Liberty 3 (three with 1), Xavier 17 (Arnold 4). Steals: Liberty 5 (Barney 2), Xavier 5 (Fandel 2). Turnovers: Liberty 9, Xavier 5.
Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com
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