WASHINGTON (AP) Markel Starks scored 22 points and guided an efficient Georgetown offense, which shot 52 percent from the floor, as the Hoyas beat Xavier 74-52 on Saturday.
Starting for the first time in more than six weeks, Jabril Trawick sparked Georgetown (16-11, 7-8 Big East) with 13 points and four assists as the Hoyas led from start to finish. Trawick had not started since breaking his jaw in loss at Providence on Jan. 8.
Semaj Christon made all five of his field goal tries on his way to 18 points for Xavier (18-9, 8-6). Justin Martin added 13 points for a sputtering Musketeers' offense which went scoreless from the floor in a span of more than 12 minutes in the second half.
After failing to lead at any point in its previous two losses, Georgetown started fast, scoring 16 points on its first eight possessions. Trawick facilitated the quick start with a layup and a three-pointer and a pair of assists.
Late in the first half, the Hoyas went on a 10-0 spree which reserve Aaron Bowen started with a jumper and finished with a dunk for a 29-15 lead.
Xavier's Jalen Reynolds helped fuel the run when he blocked a shot by Trawick, but taunted the junior guard and drew a technical foul. Starks made two free throws and Trawick followed with back-to-back field goals sandwiched around a Musketeers turnover.
In the second half, Xavier whittled an 18-point deficit to 11. But during a nearly 13 minute span the Hoyas held the Musketeers scoreless from the field, stretching their lead to 25 points.
It was the most decisive conference win for Georgetown since a 61-39 victory over Syracuse on Mar. 9 of last year.
Nate Lubick contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, helping Georgetown to a 26-21 edge on the boards.
The win avenged an 80-67 loss to Xavier last month in which the Hoyas failed to score in the final 6 minutes as they blew a 17-point, second-half lead.
