The first time the Hoyas and Muskateers met, they put on a show worthy of being Big East Game of the Year. This time the game fell short as the Hoyas offense went stagnant in the second half en route to an 89-77 home loss to Xavier.
After scoring 31 in the first game, Trevon Bluiett only scored 2 points but as Coach Patrick Ewing said after the game, the Muskateers are more than just a one man team.
“Bluiett didn’t have as big of a game… as big as an impact on the game as out there but it’s like I told the guys, he’s just a part of the team. They have a good time. They have other guys who can step up.” – Coach Ewing
The depth on the team is something Coach Chris Mack is thankful to have.
“I joked with him (Bluiett) right there at the end. I hope the Big East tournament isn’t played here. Because he was 0 for last year… but we do have a deep team”
Xavier was led by Naji Marshall’s 21 points, JP Macura’s 20 and Quentin Goodin’s 19. It was the 100th win for the seniors.
Georgetown was up by two at the half after a big first half by freshman Jamorko Pickett. The freshman had 12 points in the first half, all on three pointers but the feeling was, the Hoyas could’ve been up by more than just two at the half. They shot 55.2% in the first half including 6-8 from the three point line but Marshall and Macura kept the Muskateers in it.
In the second half Xavier pulled away with a 12-0 in the second half and it was led by the defense.
“Just told our guys we started getting separation because we started getting stops” – Coach Mack
The defense seemed to get Goodin in rhythm as he scored 16 in the second half on 4-4 shooting from the floor and 6-7 from the free throw line. Most of the looks he got were wide open as the Hoyas seemed to tire on defense.
“They just outplayed us. That’s it. They just wanted it more than we did in the second half.” Coach Ewing
Next up for Georgetown is Providence at home on Saturday. Xavier will get a few days off before the Friars head to Cincinnati next Wednesday.
