Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Hoyas Capsize Pirates at Verizon

Before a marquee game against No. 4 Villanova, a team full of talented guards, the No. 11 Hoyas proved that they too have a backcourt trio to be reckoned with.

Georgetown’s starting guards combined for 57 points on 71 percent shooting to lead the Hoyas (13-2, 4-1 Big East) to a 85-73 win over Seton Hall (10-6, 1-4) at Verizon Center Thursday night. Junior Chris Wright scored a game-high 21 points; he was followed closely by sophomore Jason Clark with 20, and junior Austin Freeman chipped in 16.

Georgetown shot 68.2 percent from the field as a team, the highest single-game mark against a Big East opponent under Head Coach John Thompson III.

“We’re doing a very good job of finding what is there and not forcing anything [on offense],” Thompson said. “I think the guys are doing a good job of sharing the game and helping each other [and] reading the situations.”

The Hoyas used a 15-0 run over four minutes in the first half to take a 21-7 lead, and it was smooth sailing from there. Georgetown shot nearly 70 percent from the field in the first frame and took a 44-28 lead into halftime.

Seton Hall Head Coach Bobby Gonzalez said the halftime deficit felt a lot bigger against the methodical Georgetown offense.

“Georgetown is basically a counter-puncher. They want you to come down and take a bad shot or quick shot. Then they’re going to come back down, run their offense and take a good shot,” Gonzalez said. “It’s like ether. It’s slow death.”

Seton Hall increased its defensive pressure in the second half – the Pirates forced 16 turnovers in the game – and cut a 19-point deficit to 61-54 with 7:53 remaining. But the Hoyas’ guards righted the ship, and the Pirates could not get any closer.

Behind eight points from Clark, who was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, the Hoyas doubled the lead to 73-59 with 4:26 to play. Clark was held scoreless in his last game and was averaging fewer than seven points per game in league play.

“We just wanted to try to stay with our offense,” Wright said. “We know if we stay with our offense and don’t turn it over, a good shot is eventually going to come out of it.”

The Hoyas’ floor general, Wright did it all Thursday night. In addition to being the top scorer, he led the game in assists (six) and steals (three), without turning the ball over. The 6-foot-1 guard even recorded a block.

Wright and Clark also held the Pirates’ leading scorer Jeremy Hazell in check for a quiet 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Hazell entered the game averaging 31.3 points per game in league play, having scored over 30 in three of four Big East contests, but could never get on track. The junior scored five points in the first half and had only nine until the last minute of play when he hit two three-pointers and a layup.

“I knew [guarding Hazell] was a big challenge coming into the game,” Clark said. “He can shoot from anywhere, he can score from anywhere.”

Gonzalez took Hazell out of the game in the second half when he felt his star was frustrated on the offensive end and not giving his best effort on the defensive end.

By scoring 85 points, Georgetown turned the tables on Seton Hall, who entered the game averaging a league-best 85.5 points per game behind an up-tempo offense. The Hoyas stole the ball 10 times – nine in the first half – and had 22 fast-break points.

“It’s fun to create offense off of your defense,” said Wright, who had back-to-back steals that turned into layups in the first half. “We have guys that can finish in the open court.”

Thompson said the defensive performance, like the offensive success, came from fundamental play.

“We were very solid,” Thompson said. “We were getting the steals because we were in the right help positions. We were getting the steals because we were supporting our teammates. It was not because we were out there taking risks.”

The Hoyas now embark on a five-game stretch, during which they play four opponents ranked in the top 16, including the only two undefeated teams in the league.

First up is a road game against No. 4 Villanova on Sunday. The Wildcats are tied atop the Big East with No. 16 Pittsburgh at 4-0, and senior guard Scottie Reynolds has been stellar all season.

Reynolds hit a game-winner at Marquette in Villanova’s league opener and then poured in 36 points in a comeback win over Louisville.

Tip-off is set for noon at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.”

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