A fourth-quarter offensive push powered the Georgetown University women’s basketball team past California State University, Fullerton, 65-55 on Nov. 26.

As the third quarter concluded with the Hoyas trailing 43-41, the game had the makings of a defensive battle that would go down to the wire. But the Hoyas exploded in the fourth, scoring 24 points in the quarter en route to a comfortable ten-point victory. 

The win was Georgetown’s (6-1) second of the weekend after cruising past the Pepperdine University Waves 59-40 (2-6) on Nov. 24. Although the Hoyas ran away with the game in the second half against the Waves, the victory over the Cal State Fullerton Titans (3-3) came down to the Hoyas’ fourth-quarter heroics and their stingy defense.

Georgetown began the game hot, jumping out to an early 15-9 lead after graduate forward Mya Bembry drilled a short hook shot for an and-one. The Titans closed out the quarter well, bringing the game to within just two points with a score of 17-15 to end the period. 

It seemed like both teams’ baskets were sealed in the second quarter as the Hoyas and Titans combined for just 3 points throughout the first five and a half minutes of the quarter. After that ice-cold spell, both teams were able to salvage the quarter by putting up a few points before the halftime horn sounded. At the break, Georgetown led 24-23. 

The offenses loosened up afterward, and both teams came out ready to score. 

Graduate forward Graceann Bennett scored an early layup to regain the lead for the Hoyas at 29-28. After a Titan 3-pointer, Bennett dribbled down the floor and completed the strong finish to knot things up at 31. The two teams tied the game again at 33 and 35, as they battled for an advantage in a game where it felt like neither side could quite gain the upper hand. 

Senior guard Kelsey Ransom drained another short jumper from inside the paint to tie the game again at 37. Bennett shrugged off a defender with ease near the end of the quarter to continue the standoff and tie the game at 41. 

As it was for most of the game, the theme of the quarter was tie games, with the two teams battling for any sort of edge. This contest continued until the end of the third quarter, as the Titans took a slim 2-point lead into the final period of play.

Then, it was time for the Hoyas to shine. 

Sophomore guard Victoria Rivera got the run started with a 3-pointer to open the quarter, which was promptly followed up by two free throws from graduate guard Alex Cowan. This marked the beginning of a 20-4 run for the Hoyas, a run which the Titans could not respond to.

After a layup by the Titans, Ransom turned an in-and-out dribble move into an and-one layup to put the Hoyas up by four, and they never looked back from there. 

With just over four minutes left in the quarter, Cowan put the Hoyas up by 12 with a 3-pointer from the right corner. The Hoyas then cruised until the buzzers sounded, winning by a score of 65-55 and securing a second win out west.

Although a team victory, a few players’ performances stood out in particular. 

Ransom, who was nominated to the Big East weekly honor roll, had a terrific game on both ends of the court, combining 20 points with 3 steals and highlighting her ability to play both offense and defense. Cowan contributed another 15 points, and Bennett took care of the boards with a 10-point, 8-rebound performance. 

Interim Head Coach Darnell Haney said his team’s performance in the second half was representative of the discipline and commitment he expected, adding that the team needed to maintain that mentality for the entire game.

“We were much more focused in the second half, we were focused on our principles, and I thought we did a better job of that,” Haney told Georgetown Athletics. “Sometimes we get into a situation where we’re rolling, and we get comfortable and I don’t think we can ever get comfortable. So for us, we need to keep that same intensity, that same focus and that same will, doing things the Georgetown way for 40 minutes.”

The Hoyas defeated Howard University 45-43 on Nov. 30. Their season continues away versus Northwestern University on Dec. 3.