By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

After the fourth game this season, Xavier women's basketball coach Kevin McGuff changed three-fifths of his starting lineup.

That sounds radical. But it's really radical when you consider XU had the same five starters for every game last season, all averaging 31 or more minutes a game. In a four-overtime victory over George Washington, they combined for 275 of the 300 total minutes - and might have had more if two hadn't fouled out.

XU is using a 10-player rotation in McGuff's second season, and that could stretch to 11 when 6-foot-3 Adeola Olanrewaju, a transfer from North Carolina State, becomes eligible Sunday. Depth has helped XU go 3-0 since the lineup change, standing 5-2 entering a home game Thursday against Lipscomb (2-2).

"I certainly feel we have more depth (than last season) and I want to use that to our advantage," McGuff said. "Also, I haven't settled in my mind who plays what number of minutes, so I'm giving them the chance to play it out."

The two who have started every game are sophomore forward Tara Boothe - who averages 19.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, shooting 64.7 percent - and sophomore guard Kristy Wallner (5.4 ppg).

Junior Alexis Henderson, sophomore Mandy Geryak and freshman Chelsea Chowning came out of the lineup after a 67-65 home loss to Middle Tennessee State. Freshman guards Miranda Green and Michele Miller and junior forward Nikki Wells, who were on the floor when XU had a 23-2 second-half run in that loss, became starters.

"That lineup kind of sparked us with great effort," McGuff said. "Maybe some of our other players had gotten too comfortable."

XU has won the three games since by an average of 30 points.

The Musketeers' strength all season has been defense. Their average of 52.3 points allowed ranks 10th nationally and is on pace to shatter the school record of 61.6 set last season.

"Our coach has instilled in us (the desire) to work hard all the time at both ends," Green said. "Everybody knows their roles."

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com