Georgia 61 - 73 Xavier
Final
  for this game

Stopping Georgia's momentum key for Xavier

Mar 20, 2008 - 11:58 AM No. 14 Georgia (17-16) vs. No. 3 Xavier (27-6) 12:20 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - After an improbable run into the NCAA Tournament, Georgia hopes to extend its season-long winning streak when they face Xavier in a first-round contest out of the West Regional on Thursday.

The 14th-seeded Bulldogs matched their win total from the Southeastern Conference regular season with four victories - two in overtime - in four days to win the Southeastern Conference tournament.

The run included two wins in one day after a tornado forced the quarterfinal game to be played on the same day as the semifinal contest.

Georgia (17-16), which had lost 11 of 13 games before the SEC tournament, is making its first appearance in the NCAAs since 2002.

Senior guard Sundiata Gaines leads the team at 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

The Musketeers (27-6) are in the NCAAs for the third straight season. Xavier was a 14th seed two years ago before losing a close contest to Gonzaga, and last season it nearly knocked off national runner-up Ohio State in the second round, falling in overtime.

As a three seed this season, the Atlantic 10 regular-season champions are extremely balanced, with six players averaging between 10.0 and 11.7 points per game. The Musketeers went 20-0 when at least four players score in double figures.

The winner will take on either Purdue or Baylor in the second round on Saturday.






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