Hoyas Surge Ahead of Xavier, Remain Undefeated at 3-0 in BIG EAST Showdown!

WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University men’s basketball squad triumphed over the Xavier Musketeers 69-63, led by Malik Mack’s impressive 26-point performance, with 20 of those points coming in the second half alone, on Friday night at Capital One Arena. With this victory, the Hoyas advance to 12-2 and 3-0 in BIG EAST competition while Xavier falls to 9-6 and 1-3 in conference play.
 
ON THE RECORD
“We dedicate ourselves to discussing chemistry, love, and concern for one another. It’s about the team. It’s about the group. You must embrace the ‘we, not me’ mentality. Again, we may be relatively inexperienced, but we possess talented and resilient young men who are determined to improve. Our objective is to progress in every single game. I believed we demonstrated substantial growth today.” – Head Coach Ed Cooley
 
“I simply played through the offense, seized chances to make a play, and I felt that I was open for some shots that I was confident I could make because I’ve been working on those. I believe I did well recognizing the defense, sensing the game, and knowing where I could get my shots or where I could assist my teammates.” – Malik Mack
 
“They were employing drop coverage, so the mid-range shots were always available. I think I’m a proficient mid-range shooter, so whenever I get the chance, I’m going to take it.” – Micah Peavy
 
HOYA HIGHLIGHTS

• Mack topped all scorers and was one of three Hoyas in double digits with 26 points on 8-for-16 shooting (50.0%), including three 3-pointers, coupled with a 7-for-9 success rate from the charity stripe. He also contributed a team-leading three assists and two rebounds.
• Micah Peavy added 15 points, also shooting 50.0% (7-14) from the floor while securing a team-high 10 rebounds for his inaugural double-double of the season. He also registered two assists.
• Thomas Sorber contributed 12 points from five field goals along with five rebounds and two blocks and assists each.
• Caleb Williams, in his fourth starting appearance, provided nine rebounds and one block.
• Georgetown achieved a shooting percentage of 44.6% from the field with 25 successful field goals from 11 assists. Beyond the arc, the Hoyas converted 4-of-18 (22.2%).
• The Hoyas dominated the rebounding battle, outpacing the Musketeers 40-35.
• Georgetown forced 11 turnovers from XU with two steals while committing 12 of their own.

 
XAVIER HIGHLIGHTS

• Zach Freemantle was the standout for Xavier, scoring 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Dayvion McKnight, Ryan Conwell, and Dailyn Swain followed with 12, 12, and 11 points, respectively.
• Freemantle, coming off the bench, was also the top rebounder for the Musketeers, collecting seven boards.
• Xavier ended the night shooting 20-for-57 (35.1%) from the field and 5-for-19 (26.3%) from beyond the arc.

 
HOW IT UNFOLDED

• The Hoya defense was tenacious at the onset, keeping Xavier scoreless for the first near five minutes of play. Offensively, Georgetown sank three buckets to establish a 6-0 lead, courtesy of contributions from Peavy, Mack, and Caleb Williams. The Hoyas continued to surge, reaching a 10-2 lead with scores from big men Thomas Sorber and Drew Fielder, compelling an XU timeout.
• The teams exchanged blows with the Hoyas leading by as many as 13 (19-6) after a turnaround jumper by Peavy capped off six unanswered points by the home team.
• Xavier responded with a 9-1 run, narrowing it down to a five-point gap; however, a couple of free throws from Jordan Burks expanded the lead once more. The Musketeers crept within two points late in the first half, but Peavy’s two scores secured a 30-24 advantage at halftime for the Blue & Gray.
• Exchanging baskets at the beginning of the second half, Xavier ignited early and came within three (35-32). However, following the first timeout of the frame, the Hoyas embarked on a 7-0 run sparked by a Caleb Williams bucket flanked by Mack free throws and a 3-pointer to widen the lead to 42-32, stirring the crowd.
• The Musketeers remained within reach, countering each time GU found the net. Xavier rattled off eight straight points to make it a one-point game (58-57), but the Blue & Gray responded once more, this time with Sorber hitting free throws.
• XU pulled within one again, but Georgetown concluded the game with a 9-4 run, sealing the 69-63 victory as the game came to a close.

 
OF NOTE

• The Hoyas never trailed in the match; they established an early lead of 2-0 (H1: 17:27) and maintained it throughout.
• With a 3-0 start in BIG EAST competition, this marks the best beginning in conference play for Georgetown since the 2011-12 season when the Hoyas opened with triumphant efforts against Louisville (71-68), Providence (49-40), and Marquette (73-70).
• Mack’s 26 points represent a season high for the sophomore and the ninth 20+ scoring game of his career, having achieved eight during his freshman campaign.
• The double-double for Peavy was the first of the campaign for the graduate student and just his second career double-double.

 
UP NEXT
Georgetown will be back on the court on Tuesday, January 7 as the Hoyas journey to the Midwest to confront the No. 8/8 Marquette University Golden Eagles at Fiserv Forum. The game is slated to tip off in Milwaukee at 8 p.m. ET, and will be aired on CBS Sports Network, with John Sadak handling the play-by-play and Steve Lappas providing commentary. The matchup can be listened to locally on 106.7 The Fan, featuring Rich Chvotkin, in his 51st season as the Voice of the Hoyas, narrating the action.