By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Dawgs can't pull out second upset
Placeholder Image
WASHINGTON- Derrick Brown  and Xavier put an end to the magical run of a Georgia team that by game's end was, well, 'Dawg tired.
Brown's 19 points and 11 rebounds led a balanced-as-usual offense, and No. 3-seeded Xavier avoided a big upset by rallying to overcome fading Georgia 73-61 on Thursday in a first-round West Regional game.
Super-sub Josh Duncan scored 20 for the Musketeers (28-6), who trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half but conjured up a 22-6 run to come back. Xavier used a significant discrepancy in free throws - it went 27-for-33 from the line, while Georgia was 3-for-5 - and tied a school record for victories in a season.
Georgia (17-17) simply could not sustain the energy and effort it summoned during last week's remarkable run to the SEC tournament title. The Bulldogs were 13-16 before the conference tourney, yet somehow won four games in as many days - including three in a span of about 30 hours - to save coach Dennis Felton's job and extend their season.
Xavier will play the Purdue-Baylor winner Saturday.
Led by Terrance Woodbury 's 16 points and do-everything guard Sundiata Gaines ' 13 points and six assists, Georgia began the afternoon displaying far more energy than could rightly have been expected. After all, the Bulldogs were forced to play two games in a single day en route to earning the school's first NCAA berth since 2002.
With Xavier looking a bit uncertain for stretches, Georgia pulled out to a 35-26 halftime advantage. The lead grew to 43-32 with 16 minutes left after a baseline jumper by Woodbury, who let out a ''Woooo!'' yell that was answered by loud barks from his team's fans.
And that, pretty much, was that for Georgia.
Xavier began chipping away at its deficit from - where else? - the foul line, with six straight points off free throws. The Musketeers' noted defense, meanwhile, held the Bulldogs scoreless for nearly 5 minutes.
Billy Humphrey 's two 3-pointers were Georgia's only baskets during the game-swinging spurt by Xavier, which went ahead 54-49 on Duncan's bucket with about 6 minutes remaining.
Brown made it an eight-point edge for the favorites, at 59-51, a minute later with a three-point play. And while Georgia did keep things interesting, getting within 64-61 on Dave Bliss ' dunk with 1 1/2 minutes on the clock, Xavier closed the game on a 9-0 run.

Sign up for our e-newsletters