History was made at the Cintas Center yesterday, not just on the scoreboard, but on the clock. In what is believed to be the earliest conference tip-off in BIG EAST history (9:30 AM), the Georgetown women’s basketball team woke up ready to play, securing a gritty 65-52 road victory over Xavier.
Defense Sets the Tone
While the early start time could have led to a sluggish performance, the Hoyas brought the energy where it mattered most: on the defensive end. Georgetown’s relentless pressure forced Xavier into a chaotic 23 turnovers, which the Hoyas converted into 28 critical points. The defensive activity was highlighted by 17 steals, disrupting the Musketeers’ rhythm before they could ever truly settle into their offense.
The Turning Point
The game was a tight affair in the first half, featuring five lead changes and two ties. Georgetown took a slim 30-27 lead into the locker room, but the third quarter belonged entirely to the Blue & Gray.
Graduate student Brianna Scott was the catalyst. Scott exploded out of the break, scoring five points during a decisive 10-0 run that blew the game open. She finished with a season-high 21 points, showcasing her leadership and ability to take over when the team needed separation. This surge pushed the lead to 49-33, a margin Xavier could never threaten down the stretch.
Key Performers
- Brianna Scott: 21 points (Season High), 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists.
- Khia Miller: 17 points, 3 steals—providing the offensive punch alongside Scott.
- Mariyah Noel: 20 points, 6 rebounds.
- Vivien Nejašmić: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists off the bench.
By The Numbers
| Stat | Georgetown | Xavier |
| Field Goal % | 42.3% | 37.5% |
| 3-Point % | 28.6% | 33.3% |
| Free Throw % | 88.2% (15-17) | 50.0% (2-4) |
| Turnovers | 17 | 23 |
| Points off TOs | 28 | 13 |
Closing
This was a character win for Head Coach Darnell Haney’s squad. Winning on the road in the BIG EAST is never easy, and doing it at an unusual hour adds another layer of difficulty. The Hoyas showed resilience, particularly in the second half, fixing the “mishaps” Coach Haney noted from the first two quarters.
With the win, Georgetown moves to 12-8 and stabilizes its conference standing. The Hoyas improve to 5-6 and sit in sixth-place in the Big East. The ability to close out games with free-throw shooting (15-of-17) and suffocating defense is a recipe that will serve them well as they push toward March.
Up next for the Hoyas is a rematch with Seton Hall (14-6, 8-3) at McDonough Arena on Jan. 29. The Pirates steamrolled Georgetown 81-36 in New Jersey on Dec. 31. Game tips off at 11:00 am (buy tickets here).
