Final: Georgetown 80 Xavier 73
Tonight’s game was a “must have” for Georgetown and Xavier but the first half didn’t show that. It looked like Xavier had all of the “want” while the Hoyas struggled out of the gates.
The Musketeers jumped out to a 9-0 lead. The lead in the half eventually grew to 1o. They dominated the boards (20-13), stifled the Hoyas’ offense (40.7%) and forced six turnovers. With all that, Xavier was only up 36-28 at the half.
The Hoyas came out in the second half on a 10-3 run cutting the deficit to one. After cutting the lead to one several other times, the Hoyas would finally take the lead on a Josh LeBlanc stick back at the 9:38 mark. That was followed by Jagan Mosely’s second three pointer of the half and suddenly the Hoyas had a four point lead with 9:03 left.
Xavier would regain the lead with 5:13 left. It would be their last. James Akinjo came down and hit a three pointer giving the Hoyas the lead for good. Georgetown sealed the victory when Jamorko Pickett snatched an offensive rebound and converted a layup with 38 seconds left.
Player of the Game: James Akinjo
After going 0-2 in the first half, Akinjo exploded for 23 points and four assists in the second half. He was 7-7 from the free throw line and didn’t turn the ball over.
Quotables:
“I didn’t have to say anything to him (Akinjo). He believes in himself. Sometimes to a fault. He thinks he can leap tall buildings” – Georgetown Head Coach Patrick Ewing
“That’s something I’m still working on (over dribbling) as you can see. I got a lot of pros around me… All of the coaching staff has NBA experience. I’m watching film everyday” – Georgetown Freshman James Akinjo
“I don’t know how many stops we had in the second half, I could probably count it on one hand.” – Xavier Head Coach Travis Steele
Notes:
With the win Georgetown moved into third place in the Big East. Up next will be first place Villanova, in Philadelphia.
Coach Patrick Ewing Postgame
James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc
Coach Travis Steele Postgame
