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Tough D, Senior Leadership Propel Muskies Past Georgia
By
Jay Skeldon,
3/20/2008
With their backs against the wall, Xavier's senior trio stepped up to the task in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament against Georgia. Faced with an 11-point deficit in the second half, Josh Duncan, Stanley Burrell, and Drew Lavender and the X-Men racheted up their defensive intensity. That effort along with converting at the foul line led the No. 3-seeded Musketeers to a 73-61 victory over the Bulldogs (17-17). With the win, the Muskies (28-6) tie a school record for most victories in a season and advance to face No. 6-seed Purdue on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs entered the game having swept through the SEC Tournament, winning four games in three days last week, to garner an automatic bid to the tournament. Many fans around the country fell in love with the Dawgs and their improbable entrance to the tournament.
The Muskies jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on a Derrick Brown dunk and a Duncan trey. But, it went downhill from there for Xavier. Georgia answered with an 11-3 run to capture the lead, 11-8, with 14:05 remaining. UGA held on to the lead for the entire first half and made it clear to the Muskies that they belonged. The Bulldogs entered intermission on a 10-2 run to lead 35-26.
UGA came out strong in the first half, shooting uncharacteristically well (53.3%) and taking advantage of its physical size inside. The Musketeers, on the other hand, were off the mark with its shooting (34.5%), costly turnovers, and defensive softness.
After halftime, the Musketeers made two noticeable adjustments: increasing their defensive intensity and focusing on interior penetration, forcing the Bulldogs to foul the more athletic and deeper Muskies. Xavier rattled off a 22-6 run to comeback in the second half to retake the lead and propel itself into the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
After getting to the line just four times in the first half, XU forced the issue and got to the line 29 times and converting 25. For the game, X hit 27-of-33 from foul line compared to just 3-of-5 for Georgia.
Part of that free throw differential was due to the Muskies' attacking mentality, which led to more opportunities to get to the foul line. The other explantory factor was Xavier's tight defense, limiting the Bulldogs' penetration while playing man-up, pressure defense without fouling. The X-Men forced nine second half turnovers (13 for the game) and held UGA to just 38.5% shooting in the second half. X, meanwhile, took care of the basketball in the second half (just 3 turnovers) and increased its shooting percentage (55.6% in second half).
Josh Duncan led all scorers with 20 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Not to be outdone, sophomore Derrick Brown contributed a double-double effort with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Duncan and Brown provided an inside-outside presence for which Georgia had no answers.
Xavier's guard play in the second half was excellent. Lavender returned closer to his old form, scoring 13 points, dishing two assists, and adding a steal. Burrell did not score, but hit three free throws, distributed five assists, and played game-changing defense on Georgia's guards, particularly senior Sundiata Gains, who was held to 13 points.
B.J. Raymond (8 points) and Dante Jackson (3 points) provided a big lift off the bench, including hitting the game-tying and go-ahead 3-point baskets, respectively, with just under eight minutes to play.
Next up for the Musketeers is the No. 6 seed Purdue Boilermakers, which advanced past Baylor in the second game of the afternoon game at the Verizon Center. Game time against Purdue is set for 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 in the nation's capital.
Video Highlights | Box Score | Updated Brackets
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