JOHNSTON - Katlyn Andersen and Emily Walvoord hit key free throws in the final minute Saturday night to help 11th-ranked Xavier clip Johnston, 39-34, in a non-conference basketball game.

Xavier was clinging to a 33-32 lead in the final minute. Andersen and Walvoord both hit a pair of free throws to help the Saints (3-0) escape with the victory.

Walvoord led Xavier with eight points. Annie Dale and Alex Bartz scored seven points apiece. Sarah Dickes had four steals, Dale had three steals and Bartz blocked three shots.

"It was a slugfest," Xavier Coach Tom Lilly reported. "Pretty solid defensively overall."

The Saints have allowed an average of just 27 points per game in their three victories this season.

Sammie Hildreth and Steph Wilkinson scored 10 points apiece for Johnston (1-2).

XAVIER (39): Dale 3 1-2 7, Noonan 1 0-0 2, Andersen 1 3-3 5, Walvoord 3 2-2 8, Bartz 2 3-4 7, Winker 0 0-0 0, Armstrong 2 2-3 6, Deutmeyer 0 0-0 0, Dickes 1 0-0 2, Bertsch 0 0-0 0, Boomgarden 0 0-0 0, Stulken 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 11-14 39.

JOHNSTON (34): Riley 1 2-2 4, Kerr 2 0-0 4, Joens 1 0-0 2, Reed 1 0-0 2, Hildreth 5 0-0 10, Ayers 1 0-0 2, Wilkinson 5 0-0 10. Totals 16 2-2 34.

Halftime - Xavier 20, Johnston 14. 3-point goals - None.