Georgetown Defense Shines In Historic Win Over Xavier

The Georgetown Hoyas women’s basketball team made history on Saturday, not only by securing a pivotal 65-52 victory over the Xavier Musketeers at Cincinnati’s Cintas Center, but also by tipping off in what’s believed to be the earliest conference game start in BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball history. Early risers in Cincinnati witnessed a contest full of swings, grit, and some standout performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats from the opening whistle.

With this win, Georgetown improved to 12-8 overall and 5-6 in BIG EAST play, while Xavier fell to an even 10-10 on the season and 3-8 in conference action. The Musketeers, looking to bounce back from a tough stretch, now face the daunting task of traveling to No. 1 UConn for their next outing, while the Hoyas get set to host Seton Hall in another early-morning showdown.

This clash between the Hoyas and Musketeers featured five lead changes and two ties, offering a back-and-forth battle in the first half before Georgetown’s defense and clutch shooting took control. Xavier, who led 25-24 with just under four minutes to play in the second quarter, saw their advantage slip away as the Hoyas closed the half on a 6-2 run, taking a 30-27 lead into the locker room. The Blue & Gray’s defensive intensity began to shine, as they forced the Musketeers into costly turnovers that would ultimately define the flow of the game.

Georgetown head coach Darnell Haney was quick to praise his team’s preparation and resilience. “This adversity just teaches us we’ve got to be ready to go at any time, and I felt like we were extremely ready to go this morning. We had some mishaps in the first half that we had to fix, and then we kind of came on in the second half. I’m proud of Brianna Scott for her performance today, she showed up and this was one of her best games. Also, Khia Miller had a good game, she’s getting more consistent. We’re going to celebrate this today, bundle up for the cold and move on to the next one,” Haney said, reflecting the team’s upbeat mood after the win.

The game’s opening quarter saw Xavier take a slim lead, but a shot-clock-beating triple from junior Brianna Byars ignited a 13-2 Georgetown run. The Hoyas surged ahead 19-14 at the end of the first, setting the tone for their aggressive play. Early in the second quarter, sophomore Destiny Agubata drilled a three-pointer to extend the Hoyas’ lead to double digits. But Xavier wasn’t about to fold on their home court. The Musketeers responded with a spirited 11-0 run over four minutes, briefly reclaiming the lead and bringing the home crowd to life. Junior Khia Miller, however, answered right back for Georgetown, nailing consecutive three-pointers to help the Hoyas regain momentum. A layup from Xavier at the buzzer kept things close, but Georgetown held a three-point edge at the half.

After the break, graduate student Brianna Scott took center stage. Scott, who has been a steady presence for the Hoyas all season, exploded for five points as part of a 10-0 Georgetown run to open the third quarter. Her dominance on both ends of the court was evident, as she finished the night with a season-high 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks, while going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Scott’s leadership and poise helped the Hoyas build a commanding 49-33 lead late in the third quarter, their largest of the game. Graduate student Laila Jewett also contributed with a pair of timely three-pointers, further stretching the advantage to 49-37 entering the final period.

But the Musketeers weren’t done yet. Led by the relentless Mariyah Noel, who poured in a team-high 20 points on 8-for-17 shooting along with six rebounds and two steals, Xavier clawed back into contention. MacKenzie Givens chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds, while Vivien Nejašmić provided a spark off the bench with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. Meri Kanerva and Savannah White rounded out the stat sheet with solid all-around efforts, but the Musketeers could only cut the deficit to nine points with under a minute to play.

Georgetown’s defense, which forced 23 Xavier turnovers and racked up 17 steals, proved to be the difference. The Hoyas capitalized with a 28-13 edge in points off turnovers and a 10-3 advantage in fastbreak points. Both teams battled hard on the boards, finishing deadlocked with 32 rebounds apiece. Xavier managed to outscore Georgetown in second-chance points (13-9), but the Hoyas’ ability to convert defensive stops into quick offense kept them comfortably ahead down the stretch.

Statistically, the Hoyas shot 42.3% from the field (22-for-52) and connected on 6-of-21 from beyond the arc, while holding Xavier to 37.5% shooting (21-for-56) and just 8-of-24 from deep. The free-throw line also told a tale: Georgetown was nearly flawless, hitting 15-of-17 attempts, compared to Xavier’s 2-of-4. Khia Miller’s 17 points and three steals gave the Hoyas an added boost, while Scott’s all-around excellence anchored the team on both ends.

“We had some mishaps in the first half that we had to fix, and then we kind of came on in the second half,” Coach Haney reiterated, highlighting the adjustments and focus that propelled the Hoyas after halftime. He specifically lauded the growth of Khia Miller, whose back-to-back threes in the second quarter and steady play have become a reliable asset for Georgetown.

On the Xavier side, head coach Billi Chambers will look for her team to regroup quickly as they prepare for a daunting matchup against top-ranked UConn. The Musketeers showed flashes of resilience and offensive firepower, but turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately proved costly against a Georgetown squad that’s finding its rhythm in conference play.

Looking ahead, the Hoyas will enjoy a brief celebration before turning their attention to Seton Hall, with tipoff scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday at McDonough Arena. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ as Georgetown seeks to build on this momentum. For Xavier, the road doesn’t get any easier, but if Saturday’s fight is any indication, the Musketeers won’t go down without a battle.

Saturday’s early-morning showdown delivered more than just a unique start time—it offered a showcase of tenacity, talent, and the kind of conference drama that makes BIG EAST basketball a must-watch. With Brianna Scott leading the way and a defense that refuses to quit, the Hoyas have announced themselves as a team to watch as the season heats up.