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Musketeers Hit Triple Digits in Road Win Over G-Town
By
Andy Mac Williams,
12/17/2022
Xavier launched its 20 game BIG EAST schedule w/ a HUGE BOOM(as in Souley Boum) posting an ultra efficient 102-89 trouncing of Georgetown at Capital Arena in DC. Muskies move to 9-3 overall on a 5 game win streak and 1-0 in BE PG Boum played the full 40 minutes almost flawlessly-What a stat line! Shades of Tu Holloway! Souley controlled the game pace and QBed the slick XU passing game-diagnosed G-town's switches to zone "D" and quickly shredded their attempts at full court pressure.
The numbers tell all (28 points on 11-18 FGs-6 for 9 from "3"-7 assists-just one turnover-7 rebounds and 4 steals. Boum has made BIG EAST Honor Roll the last two weeks. How about Player of the Week?? He's human. He missed a late FT. Xavier's flow offense proved smooth and effective(27 assists on 41 FGs). All 5 Muskie starters hit double figures (Nunge 18-Freemantle 17-Kunkel 15-Colby 12 and Boum 28). X shot 60% FG including 54% from "3".
Sean Miller on Souley: "He's been a god sent from day 1 for us. He needed no adjustment period. He's shown great confidence in his offensive ability since Game#1. He hit the ground running and hasn't stopped."
G-town hung tough for about 32 minutes. X led just 43-38 at the half mainly because of a rash of bad passes(7 turnovers). Hoyas' 3 guards Spears, Heath and Murray combined for 50 points living off the dribble drive. XU fouled way too much. GT shot way too many FTS(32). Sean Miller was not pleased.
"Defense was a train wreck. Their 3 guards are difficult to defend. When I look up at the scoreboard and the team I'm coaching has 100 points and I'm still worried, something's not right. We gotta fix that."
Muskies were in serious foul trouble and the bench stepped in. Jerome Hunter helped in half one but got in foul jail himself. Sophomore big Cesare Edwards played maybe 3 key 2nd half minute in relief and made an impact (2 points on a fastbreak thunder dunk and a big defensive rebound). Cesare ran the floor w/ purpose. He's a Cadillac athlete w/ great upside.
Frosh Des Claude fit right in(6 points-3 assists-2 rebounds). No drop off when Des subs in! X cut down on turnovers in 2nd half and took over in the paint especially on the offensive glass. Colby Jones played his typical 94 foot game unselfishly(8 assists-tireless defense-great decisions w/ the ball). Give GT credit for bouncing back to down 4(77-73) from down 13 w/ 8 minutes left.
Souley Boum settled things w/ a personal 10 point scoring binge. BALL GAME OVER!!! XU now 2-0 on the road (at UC, at Georgetown).
Tuesday it's BIG EAST Game #2 vs Seton Hall at Cintas-8:30 PM-TV FS1.
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