Georgetown began a tough holiday stretch of 4 games in 11 days with its most impressive win of the season, an 86-69 win over Memphis in front of a hostile, raucous pro-Tiger crowd. While the first half was neck-and-neck, with Memphis at one point pulling ahead by four, the Hoyas showed impressive focus and fortitude, taking a four-point lead into the half before emerging from intermission with increased defensive focus. The Hoyas’ steady effort and execution throughout the second half pushed a narrow lead to double digits, where it stayed for most of the remainder of the game. Georgetown was led by its three scholarship seniors: leading scorer Austin Freeman had 24 points on a scorching 9-of-12 from the field that does not convey the seeming ease with which he poured in a variety of difficult shots; Chris Wright scored 19; and Julian Vaughn had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The win capped a grueling non-conference slate for the Hoyas, just before an always-tough 18-game conference run. The Internets have a lot to say about last night’s game:
- Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Post. Georgetown (11-1) entered the game ranked second in the nation in shooting percentage at 52.5 percent. And for the third consecutive contest, the Hoyas surpassed that average. Against Memphis, they shot a sizzling 56.9 percent, including a pivotal stretch to start the second half in which they made five of six shots from the floor that turned a four-point halftime lead into a double-digit advantage. ”We wanted to come out with more fire than we did in the first half,” said Vaughn, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds. “That was a big emphasis: coming out with energy. And it carried us throughout the second half.” Coach John Thompson III added: “In the second half, our guys refocused and executed, particularly at the defensive end, better than we did in the first half. It was not any huge tactical change. I just went into halftime and challenged them to do what we do better than they do what they do.”
- Casual Hoya. What a clinic. That’s all that game was – an absolute clinic. It was a testament to senior leadership trumping flashy freshmen, fundamental basketball withstanding explosions of athleticism, team over individual, good triumphing over evil. TheGeorgetown Hoyas simply dominated the Memphis Tigers tonight in Memphis, winning 86-69 with a second half for the ages. Austin Freeman, oh sweet sweet Austin. 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal, taking only 12 shots to get there. Chris Wright complemented his backcourt mate with 19 points of his own, expertly handling any defense Memphis threw at him.
- HoyaHoops.com. In the second half, Memphis tried to limit the Hoyas’ long distance shooting, but Georgetown extended their lead with inside scoring off of back-door passes and strong post play. The Hoyas started the second half 8-12 from the field. As the second half wore on, Memphis started to wear down, and Georgetown methodically pulled away, eventually leading by as many as 19.
- ESPN.com. ”Our guys refocused and executed, particularly on the defensive end, what we were trying to do better than we did in the first half,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. “It was not a huge tactical change. You just come into halftime and challenge them. We have to do what we do better than they do what they do. I think our guys did a good job of doing that in the second half.” . . . ”We have some very good offensive players in our locker room,” Thompson said. “And we have an extremely unselfish group of players that have done a very good job of getting each other open and getting each other quality shots. We’re going to get good shots. And with the offensive players that we have, when we get good shots, they’re going to go in.”
