kyxu
01-19-2008, 11:48 PM
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/xavi/sports/m-baskbl/auto_action/1673674.jpegWASHINGTON - After being humbled 78-59 by Temple on Wednesday -- a game that was close until a 15-2 Temple run stifled the Musketeers -- Xavier (15-4, 3-1) held off a resilient George Washington team to earn their first road win in the Atlantic 10, and just their second win of the season on an opponent’s home floor.
It was uncertain as to whether Xavier had the intestinal fortitude to rally on the road after the dismantling in Philadelphia at the hands of Temple, as team morale seemed to wane when the Owls’ second-half pressure increased. But with only 67 seconds to play against George Washington (5-8, 1-2), Xavier leading by only one and the possibility of another road loss looming, Josh Duncan scored inside to give the Musketeers a three-point lead. George Washington (5-8, 1-2) would have a chance to tie the game with a three, but the Colonials’ Damian Hollis stepped on the out-of-bounds line, and GW was forced to foul the Musketeers with the lead, and only 31 seconds left.
Earlier on, the Musketeers had their chances to blow the game open after leading by only three at the half. Adrion Graves’ three would give Xavier its largest lead of the game, 51-40 with 11:32 to play, but the Musketeers were not able to put away the Colonials, as GW chipped away, thanks to Hollis (12 points, 12 boards) and Maureece Rice (22 points) who put the Colonials within three, 56-53, on a pair of Rice free throws with under seven minutes to play.
Xavier and GW would essentially trade baskets for the latter part of the second half, until Rice missed a potential game-tying three with 47 seconds remaining. GW would corral the rebound to set up one final play, but Hollis’ turnover ended the Colonials’ bid for an upset. Hollis would have to foul Drew Lavender (14 points, 7 assists), allowing him to salt away the game from the line, going 3-for-4 from the stripe in the final seconds.
Lavender and Duncan lead the Musketeers with 14 points apiece, while BJ Raymond regained his stroke, going 4-for-7 from three and finishing with 12 points. CJ Anderson recovered from one of his worst performances of the season against Temple, to finish with a very solid 13 points and eight rebounds. It was Anderson’s relentless play inside that kept Xavier ahead in the first half. Derrick Brown pulled in eight boards, and finished the game with an emphatic dunk to provide the final margin.
The Musketeers return home to take on the conference rival Dayton Flyers (14-2, 2-1) on 8 p.m. Thursday. The Flyers are coming off an 82-71 home loss to UMass, which ended the Flyers’ 13-game winning streak.
Article recap provided by kyxu. Click HERE (http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/member.php?u=90) to check out his member profile.
It was uncertain as to whether Xavier had the intestinal fortitude to rally on the road after the dismantling in Philadelphia at the hands of Temple, as team morale seemed to wane when the Owls’ second-half pressure increased. But with only 67 seconds to play against George Washington (5-8, 1-2), Xavier leading by only one and the possibility of another road loss looming, Josh Duncan scored inside to give the Musketeers a three-point lead. George Washington (5-8, 1-2) would have a chance to tie the game with a three, but the Colonials’ Damian Hollis stepped on the out-of-bounds line, and GW was forced to foul the Musketeers with the lead, and only 31 seconds left.
Earlier on, the Musketeers had their chances to blow the game open after leading by only three at the half. Adrion Graves’ three would give Xavier its largest lead of the game, 51-40 with 11:32 to play, but the Musketeers were not able to put away the Colonials, as GW chipped away, thanks to Hollis (12 points, 12 boards) and Maureece Rice (22 points) who put the Colonials within three, 56-53, on a pair of Rice free throws with under seven minutes to play.
Xavier and GW would essentially trade baskets for the latter part of the second half, until Rice missed a potential game-tying three with 47 seconds remaining. GW would corral the rebound to set up one final play, but Hollis’ turnover ended the Colonials’ bid for an upset. Hollis would have to foul Drew Lavender (14 points, 7 assists), allowing him to salt away the game from the line, going 3-for-4 from the stripe in the final seconds.
Lavender and Duncan lead the Musketeers with 14 points apiece, while BJ Raymond regained his stroke, going 4-for-7 from three and finishing with 12 points. CJ Anderson recovered from one of his worst performances of the season against Temple, to finish with a very solid 13 points and eight rebounds. It was Anderson’s relentless play inside that kept Xavier ahead in the first half. Derrick Brown pulled in eight boards, and finished the game with an emphatic dunk to provide the final margin.
The Musketeers return home to take on the conference rival Dayton Flyers (14-2, 2-1) on 8 p.m. Thursday. The Flyers are coming off an 82-71 home loss to UMass, which ended the Flyers’ 13-game winning streak.
Article recap provided by kyxu. Click HERE (http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/member.php?u=90) to check out his member profile.