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No. 9 X Survives Scare from Visiting GW
By
Jay Skeldon,
3/1/2008
It wasn't the prettiest game of the year on Saturday evening for No. 9 Xavier. But, in March, you take them any way you can get them. On this night, the Musketeers outlasted George Washington, 66-56, before a sold-out crowd of 10,250 at Cintas Center. In doing so, the Muskies improve to 25-4 and 13-1 in the Atlantic 10. The 25 wins establishes a new XU men's basketball record for regular season victories. Jason Love led the way for the X-Men, recording his first career double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Colonials, meanwhile, fall to 9-15 (5-9 A-10).
XU looked sharp in the early going, as it opened the game on a 19-4 run in the first eight minutes of action. The Muskies made it a point to feed the ball inside often, and Love did his part in converting. The Musketeers would build their lead to as high as 18 points, 29-11, on a basket by Josh Duncan in the lane with 6:59 remaining in the half.
But, GW made some adjustments defensively while at the same time turning up its offense. The Colonials rattled off a 12-0 run over the course of the next four minutes to pull within six, 29-23. At half, X led 36-28.
After the break, George Washington continued its streaky play, opening the half with an 8-2 run to close the gap to two points. For the next 11 minutes, the Colonials remained within striking distance with the lead flucuating between two and nine points. With 6:21 left, GW managed to tie the game at 49 on a Xavier Alexander basket.
Once again, though, Xavier answered, but it did not seal the deal until the final two minutes. With 1:12 left in the contest, the Muskies switched to a zone defense out of a George Washington timeout. XU's pressure defense forced a shot clock violation. The Muskies scored eight unanswered points -- six of which came at the foul line -- to end the game.
Love played a key role in the paint, providing a much needed inside presence for the Musketeers throughout the game. The sophomore was particularly effective in the beginning and the end of game. Though he finished the game just 4-of-8 from the free throw line, he hit four free throws in the final 2:17 of action. In addition, his 10 rebounds -- a career high -- came at crucial times.
As a team, the Muskies were outrebounded, 30-29; further, X allowed the Colonials to reel in 14 offensive rebounds including two straight off free throw attempts.
Key contributors for the X-Men included C.J. Anderson, who finished with a team-high 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, Josh Duncan (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Stanley Burrell (11 points, 4 assists). The balanced scoring attack continues to prove effective for the Muskies, as they are now an incredible 19-0 when four or more players score in double digits. B.J. Raymond added nine points including 3-of-7 from 3-point range.
Xavier's leader and point guard Drew Lavender was once again slowed by his ankel injury and played just 16 minutes of action. He did not score although he recorded four assists. The Musketeers will need Lavender back at full strength to optimize their chances for postseason success.
Next up for X is a trip to the City of Brotherly Love with a rematch against Saint Joseph's on Thursday, March 6. The Hawks, who fell to Saint Louis in their last game, are 17-9 overall and currently occupy second place in the Atlantic 10 at 8-6. The nationally televised game on ESPN is set to tipoff at 9:00 p.m. at Hawk Hill.
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