After 2 consecutive wins, the Georgetown University men’s basketball team traveled to Indianapolis with momentum and left Hinkle Fieldhouse with even more.
The Hoyas (12-10, 4-7 Big East) picked up a 77-64 road win over the Butler University Bulldogs (13-9, 4-7 Big East) on Jan. 31, opening up a 3 game winning streak and spoiling Butler Head Coach Thad Matta’s hopes of earning his 500th career win.
Butler won the jump, and in a familiar trend for the Hoyas, senior center Vince Iwuchukwu picked up an early foul, allowing the Bulldogs to convert 2 free throws to open the game’s scoring. Iwuchukwu responded quickly with a dunk, followed by a 3-pointer from junior guard KJ Lewis. The opening minutes unfolded with back-and-forth scoring, and neither team was able to create separation.
As the half progressed, the Hoyas began to find some offensive rhythm. A 3-pointer from sophomore guard Kayvaun Mulready and an Iwuchukwu jumper gave the Hoyas a brief edge over the Bulldogs, leading 23-20 with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Iwuchukwu quickly picked up his second foul, and Georgetown was forced to adjust. In most games, sophomore center Julius Halaifonua would have come off the bench to hold down the frontcourt, but he entered the game questionable with a back injury and did not end up playing. Out of center options, Georgetown Head Coach Ed Cooley turned to a small lineup.
The approach paid off offensively, as the Hoyas leaned into ball movement and perimeter shooting, an area typically not a strong suit for Georgetown, and saw immediate results. The Hoyas shot 57% from the field and 7-for-13 from 3-point range before the break. Entering the game, Georgetown averaged only 6.4 made 3-pointers per game.
Despite the offensive efficiency from the Hoyas, the Bulldogs stayed close behind, capitalizing on Georgetown’s lack of a center. Bulldog guard Finley Bizjack appeared to always have an answer for the Hoyas, responding to multiple Georgetown runs with timely jumpers and a 3-pointer.
Still, Georgetown entered the second half leading 43-39, aided by committing just 3 turnovers.
Butler came out of the break looking to close the gap, cutting the deficit to 1 point with a 3-pointer from guard Jamie Kaiser Jr. two minutes in. Georgetown responded, and two minutes later, an Iwuchukwu layup marked the start of an 8-0 run for the Hoyas, putting them up 9 points for their largest lead to that point.
Foul trouble quickly became a concern for Georgetown against a team that leads the Big East in free-throw attempts. With 12 minutes remaining in regulation, the Hoyas picked up their fifth, sixth and seventh team fouls within a span of 22 seconds, putting the Bulldogs into the bonus.
However, even with Butler repeatedly going to the line, Georgetown answered each push. A Mulready 3-pointer gave the Hoyas an 11-point lead as the Bulldogs trailed 61-50 with 10:45 on the clock.
While Georgetown’s second-half shooting did not compare to its first-half output, going 3-of-7 from behind the arc after halftime, the Hoyas were able to maintain control.
Iwuchukwu picked up his fourth foul with less than 3 minutes remaining, sending forward Michael Ajayi to the line and pulling the Bulldogs back within striking distance at 70-64.
Butler would not score again.
Lewis knocked down a 3-pointer to begin a 7-0 closing run for the Hoyas as the Bulldogs went cold, missing on their last 14 field goal attempts of the game. Georgetown held Butler to just 25 points in the second half, tying the Bulldogs’ lowest scoring half in conference play this season.
Despite a season-high 19 points from Kaiser Jr. and Bizjack’s 16, Georgetown emerged victorious. Lewis and Iwuchukwu led the Hoyas with 17 points each, while junior guard Malik Mack added 14. Iwuchukwu and sophomore forward Isaiah Abraham had 6 rebounds each.
After the game, Lewis said Iwuchukwu’s return from injury has had a positive impact on the team’s confidence.
“Now with Vince back, I think everybody’s back comfortable because with Vince, we got a different type of presence at the rim and in offense in the paint,” Lewis said in the post-game press conference. “And I think everybody, you know, is finding their rhythm and getting more comfortable as the year goes on.”
The Hoyas finished the contest with 10 made 3-pointers, just 1 shy of their season high. They recorded 18 assists — their highest total in conference play this season — with Mack and graduate guard Jeremiah Williams contributing 6 each.
Cooley said Georgetown’s recent progress has come from improved ball movement and resilience.
“I saw our guys grow up again, you know,” Cooley said in the post-game press conference. “Sharing the ball back-to-back games where we prided ourselves on assists, prided ourselves on sharing the ball and again just trying to continue to grow and develop. So really, it’s a tribute to the men. It’s a tribute to their mental toughness and physical toughness.”
“I was really, really proud of the group today and fortunate to come away with the road win, as they’re hard to get in this league,” Cooley added.
Georgetown will look to bring their momentum home to Capital One Arena, where the Hoyas will face the Creighton University Bluejays (12-9, 6-4 Big East) on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
