NCAA Scores: Xavier Ends Georgia's Streak

While the victory over Arkansas last Sunday to become SEC Champions put Georgia on people's minds, #3 seed Xavier came out with the leash and stopped the Bulldogs in their tracks with a comeback victory on Thursday.

#3 Xavier defeated #14 Georgia 73-61 in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament and ended the Cinderella team's hopes of bringing home a championship for the first time in school history. While the victory wasn't a total surprise as Xavier was favored by 9, Georgia's run late in the season had some people picking them as a possible first round spoiler.

Forwards Josh Duncan and Derrick Brown led the way for the Musketeers with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 19 points, 11 rebounds respectively. Junior B.J. Raymond added 8 points off the bench, while Guard Drew Lavender chipped in with 13.

Junior Terrance Woodbury led Georgia with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Sundiata Gaines scored 13 and dished out 6 assists. Forward Jeremy Price scored the only points off the bench for Georgia with 10 and also had 5 rebounds.

Georgia had momentum with the crowd barking and a 35-26 lead going into halftime, but Xavier rebounded with a strong comeback in the second half and took advantage of Georgia's 17 fouls by making 25 of 27 foul shots. Both teams shot 6-18 from 3 point range, but the key difference in the game was Xavier's 27-33 free throw shooting compared to Georgia's 3-5.

Xavier continues with its' best season in school history and now looks forward to facing 6th seed Purdue in the second round of the tournament. They avoid an embarrassing upset while continuing their quest to win the school's first ever NCAA Championship. Their best finish in the tourney came in 2004 when they made it to the Elite 8.

The disappointing loss ends Georgia's surprising run in a year where they won 3 games in 2 days to become SEC Champions for the first time in 25 years. They made their 10th tournament appearance in school history and ended their season with a 17-17 record.

Source

"Georgia Vs. Xavier-Box Score-March 20, 2008." ESPN