On the back of a fantastic finish that saw star graduate guard Kelsey Ransom score the game-winning bucket to send St. John’s University home Jan. 22, Georgetown hoped to carry their momentum into their matchup with Marquette University Jan. 25. However, the Golden Eagles were quick to dash those hopes, leaving the Hoyas in their wake.
The Georgetown University women’s basketball team (10-10, 3-6 Big East) lost against the Marquette Golden Eagles (13-6, 5-3 Big East) by a score of 75-58, ending a two-game winning streak and dropping the Hoyas to .500 in the process. However, despite the result, there were moments in which Georgetown tested their hosts, challenging a Golden Eagles team that has been particularly strong at home, boasting a 9-2 record on their own floor.
Ransom came out of the gates hot as the guard was able to dissect the defense and get to her spots for short pull-ups, putting the Hoyas ahead early. However, the Golden Eagles delivered a hefty counterpunch, going on a 12-0 run to quickly assume control of the contest, which they refused to relinquish despite Georgetown’s efforts.
The Hoyas appeared somewhat sluggish for the rest of the opening quarter, as the team was slow to get into their offensive sets and the defensive intensity from Marquette proved too much to handle. On the other end, Georgetown’s defense looked just a step slow. They allowed their opponents to get open for passes and shots, offering little resistance at the rim. But, with time winding down, a 3-point heave from first-year guard Jaeda Wilson put the Hoyas down just 11, a much-needed boost to an otherwise lackluster offensive quarter.
The second quarter opened with frantic pace from both teams. The Hoyas settled in on defense, upping their intensity and doing what they do best: causing chaos. Active hands in the passing lanes from Ransom and Wilson, a big block from senior center Ariel Jenkins and a gutsy charge from junior guard Victoria Rivera caused problems for the opposition’s offense early on.
However, the Golden Eagles continued to push, running rampant in transition and capitalizing on the Hoyas’ aggressiveness on the offensive glass, which often left them out of position to defend on fast breaks.
Though the box score only reflected a 16-11 advantage in fast break points in favor of the hosts, much of their damage in transition was done in the first half. Marquette’s 13 fastbreak points to Georgetown’s 2 at halftime, in addition to the Hoyas shooting just 2-12 from three, made all the difference for the Golden Eagles, who entered the break up 40-26.
As the second half loomed, the Hoyas needed a response. As has been the case for much of this season and seasons past, Ransom provided one. She scored the first 9 points of the half for the Hoyas, but Marquette was ready for Georgetown’s offensive surge, responding with a pair of corner triples of their own.
First-year guard Khadee Hession contributed with a couple of strong drives to the basket, but Georgetown’s offense fizzled out and Marquette kept piling it on, generating open looks with their ball movement and leaving the Hoyas in the dust. The Hoyas weren’t too kind to themselves either, as several unforced errors toward the end of the quarter let Marquette extend the lead even further.
Yet, the determined Hoyas refused to back down. Georgetown opened the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run with Jenkins asserting herself on the glass, earning two tough and-1 buckets. The Hoyas looked most competitive when forcing turnovers and getting easy baskets in transition, but it was too little, too late. The lack of consistent defensive effort and a stagnant offensive performance allowed Marquette to cruise to a relatively comfortable victory.
Ransom led the way for the Hoyas with 25 points and finished with a team-high 8 turnovers. Jenkins continued her strong season with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. However, Rivera only finished with 5 points on 2-16 from the field and 0-8 from 3, an off night for the Hoyas’ third-leading scorer.
Georgetown finished the contest shooting just 31.8% from the field and 13% from three, compared to Marquette’s 55.1% from the field and blistering 66.7% from three. The Golden Eagles’ big three of guard Lee Volker, guard Halle Vice and forward Skylar Forbes caused problems for the Hoyas all night, finishing with 20, 19 and 18 points, respectively, on efficient shooting splits.
The Hoyas will return home to host the tough Creighton University (16-4, 8-1 Big East) Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.
