Photo By: Xavier Gameday
Article By: Parker Fields
Xavier was extremely frustrated coming into this game, after the loss to a bottom of the Big East Depaul team. Xavier came into this game coming off their worst effort of the season. The Musketeers shot just 38% from the field and 20% from three. This was Xavier's worst shooting splits all season and was disappointing to see. Xavier came into this game on an 11-game winning streak, and it was a gut-wrenching loss for all of Xavier Nation.
The team, however, did not have much time to dwell on this loss. Xavier headed back home and had a hall of Famer Patrick Ewing and his Georgetown Hoyas coming to town.
Xavier started this game vs. the Hoyas scorching hot from the field. Xavier started the game shooting 4/5 from the field and got out to an early 8-5 lead. Xavier came out energized and looked focused from the tip-off. Xavier was out there in layup lines early as Georgetown was continuously giving up easy buckets. Xavier was shooting 10/13 from the field at one point and was up 24-13. This was looking like the Top Ranked Big East team was going to blow out the bottom-ranked team. This, however, did not continue as Primo Spears of Georgetown began to dominate. Spears went on an absolute tear for the Hoyas scoring basket after basket. Spears had 13 points in the first 10 minutes of the half and tied the game at 24 after an 11-0 run. From there, the half was a lot of Zach Freemantle dominance and a lot of trading baskets. The half ended, and Xavier lead 45-39. Fremantle led the way for Xavier with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Xavier, however, could not pull away as Georgetown always had an answer to keep it close. Primo Spears led the way for the Hoyas with 17 points in the half. What really impressed me with Spears was the difficulty of the shots he was taking and making. Spears was also getting his teammates involved, dishing out five assists in the half. For the half, Xavier shot 63% from the field and 543% from three. The Hoyas shot 49% from the field and 47% from three.
After this exciting, high-scoring first half, it looked like we would be in for a fantastic second half.
The first 10 minutes or so of this half was much of the same as the first. Xavier's offense continued to score just about every possession, but they could not stop the Hoyas. Primo Spears continued his hot play and got going early in the half. For Xavier, Zach Freemantle continued his great game with 12 points in the first 10 minutes of the half. That halfway mark of the half was when Xavier started to get some stops. Xavier amped up the defensive pressure and began to force a few turnovers. These turnovers led to some easy baskets for the Musketeers. The Musketeers were able to expand their lead to 85-67 and they never looked back from there. The Hoyas however did still try and fight their way back until the very end. Xavier ended up winning this one 95-82. Xavier was led by Zach Freemantle, who matched a career-high with 30 points. The Hoyas were led by Primo Spears who dropped 37 points and kept a very undermanned Georgetown team afloat. Xavier shot 55% from the field and 57% from three. Georgetown shot 52% from the field and 32% from three.
Xavier will travel to Connecticut Wednesday for a Top 25 Rematch vs. the Huskies. Hopefully, Xavier can pull out the win for Xavier Nation.
