Final: Georgetown 69 Butler 73
Georgetown came into the today’s game looking for its fourth win in five games. The first time they faced Butler, the Hoyas walked away with their first Big East road win of the season, 84-76. Unlike the first game, Georgetown couldn’t execute late, as they fell to the Bulldogs 73-69.
Butler came out shooting the ball very well. At the first Media Timeout, the Bulldogs were shooting 71% but the game was tied at 13. Duke transfer, Jordan Tucker, scored six early points. Tucker chose Butler over Georgetown.
For Georgetown, Jamorko Pickett continued his resurgence. After struggling throughout the season on the offensive end, Pickett had scored in double digits the last two games. This continued in the first half as Pickett scored seven of Georgetown’s first 13 points. At the postgame, Georgetown head coach, Patrick Ewing said, “he played big… 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist”.
Throughout the first half, the Hoyas struggled defensively covering Butler’s shooters. Perimeter screens led to open shot after open shot for the Bulldogs. Butler would use a 15-4 run to get their biggest lead of the half at 29-21.
A 7-2 Hoya run would close the gap to two at 33-31. But Butler would end the half on an 8-4 run.
Leaders:
Points: Georgetown: McClung 14; Butler: Tucker 14
Rebounds: Georgetown: Govan 5; Butler: Brunk 4
Assists: Georgetown: Akinjo/McClung 2; Butler: Thompson 2
Halftime: Butler 41 Georgetown 35
Butler started off the second half pushing the lead to 10 after back to back three pointers by Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott. The Bulldogs would hit three of their first four three pointers of the half.
Butler would push the lead to 11 at 62-51 after a Baldwin layup. McClung would spark the Hoyas on a run that would culminate with a Pickett three getting Georgetown to within 3 at 64-61.
The difference would be would be the Hoyas inability to execute down the stretch. If it wasn’t a turnover, it was waiting seven seconds before fouling when they needed to foul immediately. “Turnover, missed layups, not able to get stops when stops were needed, that hurt us,” said Ewing.
But Butler would make more plays down stretch than Georgetown. The Hoyas would go the last 4:25 without hitting a field goal. Butler wasn’t much better, the Bulldogs didn’t make a field the last 2:27.
Leaders:
Points: Georgetown: McClung 21; Butler: Baldwin 18
Rebounds: Georgetown: Govan 9; Butler: Tucker/Brunk/Fowler 5
Assists: Georgetown: Akinjo/Mosely 3; Butler: Thompson/Fowler 3
Final: Butler 73 Georgetown 69
Player of the Game: Kamar Baldwin 18 points
Baldwin’s 14 second half points keyed a fast start for the Bulldogs. His four free throws in the last 36 seconds helped seal the game.
Quotables:
“I should’ve gotten a few more shots” – Georgetown Coach Patrick Ewing (Speaking about Govan’s offensive opportunities)
“Are you on the Georgetown staff?” – Butler Coach LaVall Jordan (Speaking on adjustments made to their offense
Notes:
In what seems to be a scheduling quirk, the Hoyas will play four of their last seven games against DePaul and Seton Hall
