Xavier’s backcourt took control early and never let up, dismantling Georgetown 89-72 at Cintas Center on Wednesday night to improve to 12-7 overall and 4-4 in Big East Conference play.
Quincy Olivari and Dayvion McKnight combined for 51 points on efficient shooting, leading a balanced Musketeers attack that shot 54.2% from the field against a Georgetown defense that entered the game allowing just 68.4 points per contest.
Olivari Extends Hot Streak
The junior guard Olivari continued his torrid January form, pouring in 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point range. The Rice transfer has now scored 20 or more points in five of his last six games, averaging 24.8 points during that stretch.
“Quincy’s been locked in since we got back from break,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller said. “He’s understanding his spots on the floor and his teammates are finding him in rhythm.”
Olivari opened the scoring with a pull-up three-pointer just 90 seconds into the game, setting the tone for what would become a clinic in perimeter shooting. Xavier connected on 14-of-26 attempts from beyond the arc, their best three-point performance in Big East play this season.
McKnight Provides Perfect Complement
While Olivari provided the fireworks, senior point guard McKnight orchestrated the offense with precision. The Kansas transfer finished with 23 points and seven assists against just two turnovers, repeatedly finding open shooters and attacking Georgetown’s defense in transition.
McKnight’s 15-foot pull-up jumper with 8:42 remaining in the first half capped a 16-4 Xavier run that stretched their lead to 38-22. Georgetown never recovered from that burst, which came against their starting lineup.
“Dayvion controlled the pace all night,” Miller noted. “He got us good looks and made the right reads when they tried to pressure the ball.”
Hoyas Struggle Without Thomas
Georgetown entered the contest already thin in their frontcourt rotation, and the absence of forward Thomas Sorber due to a sprained ankle proved costly. The Hoyas managed just 30 points in the paint and were outrebounded 38-29.
Sophomore guard Malik Mack led Georgetown with 18 points, but shot just 6-of-15 from the field. The Hoyas’ leading scorer this season, averaging 16.2 points per game, found little room to operate against Xavier’s switching defense.
Georgetown coach Ed Cooley shuffled his rotation throughout the night, using 10 different players in the first half alone. “We’re still trying to find our identity,” Cooley said. “Credit to Xavier, they executed their game plan and made shots when they were open.”
Defense Fuels Transition Game
Xavier forced 16 Georgetown turnovers, converting them into 24 points. The Musketeers’ full-court pressure disrupted Georgetown’s half-court sets early in shot clocks, leading to rushed possessions and easy baskets in transition.
Forward Zach Freemantle added 14 points and nine rebounds for Xavier, while Jerome Hunter chipped in 12 points off the bench. The depth proved crucial as Xavier maintained their intensity throughout both halves.
The victory moves Xavier into a tie for sixth place in the Big East standings, keeping their NCAA Tournament hopes alive in what many consider the nation’s toughest conference. Georgetown falls to 9-10 overall and 2-6 in league play.
Xavier returns to action Saturday when they travel to face Villanova at Finneran Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
