The Georgetown University men’s basketball team fell 84-79 in overtime to the Dayton Flyers on Nov. 27, with the Hoyas picking up their first loss of the season in the ESPN Events Invitational.
Georgetown (5-1) entered the game against the Flyers (6-1), who have been a formidable opponent for Big East squads, missing starting senior center Vince Iwuchukwu. The Hoyas came back from two double-digit deficits in a valiant effort to protect their perfect 5-0 start to the season, but ultimately fell short.
Despite taking their first loss of the season, Georgetown displayed grit against adversity, overcoming fourteen-point deficits in each half to force overtime.
The Hoyas started off slow, as the Flyers went on a 13-3 run in the first six minutes, with Dayton guard De’Shayne Montgomery and forward Amaël L’Etang making a combined 11 of those points. However, by the 13-minute mark, junior guard Malik Mack was able to get the Georgetown offense settled, dishing an assist to sophomore center Julius Halaifonua for a layup and then drilling a three and converting on a drive to the basket.
Dayton responded quickly, going on a 9-0 run and leaving Georgetown with its largest deficit of the game, down 27-12, by the 9-minute mark. During this run, Dayton switched to a 3-2 zone and a full court press, forcing frequent turnovers and transition opportunities for the Flyers. Dayton’s ability to show multiple different zone looks challenged Georgetown throughout the game.
Following the under-8 media timeout, an and-one two point tip-in from Hoya sophomore forward Jayden Fort provided a spark of energy off the bench. The bench overall was limited to only 7 points during the game.
After this play, with just under 7 minutes remaining in the half, Georgetown were much sharper on their perimeter rotations, not allowing a single three pointer for the rest of the half. Junior guard KJ Lewis also attacked open space more aggressively, finishing at the rim or getting to the line and scoring 7 straight points as the half began to wind down.
Despite Dayton’s various zones challenging Georgetown during the final 3 minutes of the half, the Hoyas were able to generate a three-point shot for Mack and a backdoor layup for Fort by getting the ball in the paint and forcing the defense to collapse. Georgetown cut the lead to nine at the half, trailing 40-31.
The Hoyas came out guns blazing in the second half, as Halaifonua drained a deep triple assisted by Lewis. Georgetown began a fiery 9-0 run, primarily led by Halaifonua and Lewis but capped off by an emphatic two-hand flush from sophomore forward Isaiah Abraham. Trailing 42-40, the energy of the arena shifted in Georgetown’s favor.
Coming out of the 16-minute timeout, Lewis took a strong drive to the rim and kicked it out to Halaifonua for yet another triple, tying the game at 43-43. Then, Lewis drew yet another foul on a drive, splitting the free throws and giving the Hoyas a 44-43 lead, their first of the game.
However, the Flyers responded with a 10-0 run of their own, led by momentum-shifting corner threes from L’Entang and guard Bryce Heard, who took advantage of holes in Georgetown’s zone. With about 10 minutes left in the game, Mack responded with a reverse layup in traffic and Lewis was able to break free for a layup off an inbound play, cutting the Flyers to a 55-48 lead.
Dayton would soon expand their lead to 60-48, as the Flyers continued to move the ball at a rapid pace, scoring another big three from Montgomery and shifting the Hoyas’ defense. Throughout the half, Dayton’s ball movement caused the Georgetown rotations to scramble, and they occasionally fouled and gave up offensive rebounds.
Three-point shots from Mack and sophomore forward Caleb Williams kept the Hoyas in the game, but they found themselves down 67-53 with 5:46 left. Mack answered with a huge three-point jumper to cut the lead to 10. With the group revitalized, Georgetown forced a 10-second violation after a successful trap in the backcourt. Mack drove through the line and drew a foul, knocking down both free throws to cut the lead to single digits.
After a successful layup from Lewis, Mack came off a screen and drilled a deep-range three from the right wing with three minutes left in the game and a score of 69-64. A sudden turn-around bucket from Halaifonua and a defensive stop had Georgetown trailing only 69-67. With the pressure on, Abraham stepped up to the line and knocked down two foul shots to send the game to overtime.
Overtime opened with a bang, as Lewis knocked down a triple to give the Hoyas a brief lead. Dayton answered quickly, however, with an 8-0 run. Heard and Flyer guard Javon Bennett connected on back-to-back threes that, in addition to a pair of free throws from guard Jordan Derkack, swung the momentum. Georgetown fought to the end, with attempts from Mack to claw back the lead, but late-game composure and shot-making from Dayton prevailed.
Head Coach Ed Cooley said the early deficit was a disappointing way to start the game, despite a strong effort to fight back.
“For the first ten minutes of the game, we were stuck in Washington, D.C., yet we responded and got a shot to win the game,” Cooley said after the game.
“I don’t think we earned anything today,” Cooley said. “Our men fought back down double digits late in the game.”
Cooley added that the team’s discipline would be a point of emphasis going forward, as both Lewis and Williams fouled out — forcing the Hoyas to use bench players in crucial overtime minutes.
“But no excuses. Our discipline to me was as disappointing as anything,” Cooley said.
The Hoyas have a short turnaround before playing the University of Miami (5-2) for a chance to salvage their Thanksgiving break in the consolation game Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.
