NCAA Results: Xavier Vs. Georgia

After a improbable run to claim the SEC Championship, No. 14-seeded Georgia's outstanding tournament play came to an end against No. 3-seeded Xavier, 73-61, during the first round West regional of the NCAA Tournament.

From the opening tip, it was clear that the Georgia Bulldogs wanted to extend their Cinderella story to the NCAA Tournament. Exchanging the lead several times during the opening minutes, the momentum appeared to be swinging Georgia's way as they went up by 9 points at the half (35-26). Georgia was able to maintain the lead by as much as 11 points during the second half but player fatigue on the part of Georgia and excellent free throw shooting by Xavier began to take its toll. Xavier used the free throw line to chip away at Georgia's lead, taking the momentum for good with a 52-49 lead at 7:18 to play. Georgia never led again and Xavier extended the lead at the free throw line to end the game, 73-61.

Xavier, fortified with balance and experienced NCAA Tournament leadership, finished the game with defensive intensity and better offensive production in the second half. As Georgia finally began to show fatigue from their exhaustive SEC conference tourney schedule of last weekend, Xavier took the opportunity to make a 22-6 run that the Georgia Bulldogs could not match. Unable to continue their field goal percentage of 53.3% from the first half and unable to get to the free throw line (no attempts in the first half, 3 of 5 in the second half), Georgia could not produce enough offensive power in the second half to hold the lead to the final buzzer.

Top scorers in the game were Josh Duncan, 20 points, Derrick Brown, 19 points, and Drew Lavender with 13 points for Xavier. Terrance Woodbury contributed 16 points for Georgia, followed by Sundiata Gaines with 13 and Billy Humphrey with 12 points.

After a first round exit from the NCAA Tournament, Georgia ends its season as last in the SEC East regular season standings at 4-12 and with an overall record of 17-17 including the NCAA Tournament loss against Xavier. But the Bulldogs can put away those hangdog faces. The 2008 SEC Tournament Championship and the resulting the NCAA Tournament appearance, the first since 2002, were an excellent finish to the season.

Xavier, now 28-6 overall, advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where it will meet Purdue on Saturday, March 22.