Down by just three points with seconds left in overtime, Georgetown looked to set up a final shot to tie the game against Xavier. The Hoyas strategically put the ball into the hands of graduate guard Milan Bolden-Morris, who had already racked up 21 points and was shooting daggers all game from beyond the arc. 

With suspense building, Bolden-Morris got a good look to send up a 3-point shot. But then the ball bounced off the rim, cementing the final score of 70-67. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans weren’t allowed to pack the stands for the Jan. 28 game. Even so, both teams brought unmatched intensity to McDonough Arena.

With both teams looking to snap five-game losing streaks, the Hoyas (7-11, 2-8 Big East) entered the first quarter aggressively. Xavier (7-13, 2-9 Big East) won the tip-off, but Bolden-Morris put Georgetown on the scoreboard first, quickly setting the game to 5-0. 

The Hoyas were very active on both ends of the court, increasing their lead to 10-4 halfway into the first quarter behind a strong post game by first-year forward Brianna Scott. With just under four minutes left in the period, sophomore guard Kelly Ransom went for a layup to give Georgetown a double-digit lead. 

The Hoyas then went on a 10-2 run, breaking down Xavier’s defense. The Musketeers responded with a small 6-0 run to end the first quarter with a score of 20-12.

For the first half of the second quarter, the Hoyas again started off strong on both sides of the ball — getting rebounds, putting their hands in passing lanes and setting up strategic scoring opportunities. Just like in the first quarter, the Musketeers again stepped up their intensity and executed a 7-0 run. 

With Xavier spreading the ball, converting and rebounding well, Georgetown’s earlier 14-point lead was unpromising. The halftime score was 32-30 with the Hoyas’ lead thinning.

After a competitive first half, the second half started off slow with no shots falling. Soon though, the third quarter became the turning point of the game as Xavier gained its first lead, forcing Georgetown Head Coach James Howard to call a timeout. 

Georgetown racked up seven turnovers in the third quarter alone. Eventually, Georgetown ramped up its offensive attack and showed a strong response after Xavier took the lead, led by Bolden-Morris’ impressive sharpshooting skills.

The Hoyas headed into the fourth quarter with a four-point lead. Both teams continued to battle it out with neither gaining much of a lead. With 1:43 to go, Musketeers guard Nia Clark hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55. 

Ransom responded with three points of her own, but Clark drained another 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. Ransom missed a potential game-winner, sending the game to overtime.

Georgetown junior forward Graceann Bennett employed her post moves to sink the first points in overtime. Xavier immediately attacked back and tied the game at 60. But while deep shots got both teams to the extra period, it was the free throws that played a huge role in swaying the outcome of the game. 

Bolden-Morris sank one of her free throws, followed by the Musketeers knocking down two more. Xavier’s one-point lead was short-lived as Ransom came in clutch with a huge play, hitting a two-point shot on a fast break and drawing the foul for an and-one. This three-point play put Georgetown in the lead, 64-62.

With a minute remaining in overtime, the Musketeers regained a small lead. Xavier guard Kaelynn Satterfield ended up on the line again, improving to 10-for-10 in free throws. Georgetown graduate guard Kaylin West hit a crucial 3-pointer to slice Xavier’s lead. 

In the intense final seconds, Bolden-Morris went for the game-tying three-point shot, but it was no good. Despite Georgetown’s relentless efforts, Xavier clinched the 70-67 victory.

Bolden-Morris was Georgetown’s standout player, leading all scorers with 21 points, including six three-pointers. Ransom tacked on another 16 points, and Bennett chipped in a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Hoyas will face a major conference foe in a strong Villanova team on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Finneran Pavilion.