The Georgetown University men’s basketball team fell 66-51 to the Villanova University Wildcats following a disastrous second half Jan. 21, extending the Hoyas’ discouraging conference losing streak to seven games.
From the opening tip, Georgetown (9-10, 1-7 Big East) Head Coach Ed Cooley planned to match Villanova’s (15-4, 6-2 Big East) fast-paced offensive scheme, emphasizing quick decision-making and transition opportunities. The gameplan revealed itself when the Hoyas scored the first bucket of the game, as junior guard Malik Mack pitched the ball ahead to sophomore forward Caleb Williams for a 26-foot transition three to give Georgetown an early 3-0 lead. On the Hoyas’ next possession, sophomore forward Isaiah Abraham knocked down another 3-pointer for the Hoyas, putting pressure on the Wildcats’ transition defense.
Despite a hot start, both teams struggled offensively for the next 10 minutes. Georgetown struggled to attack the basket and get paint touches because of Villanova’s intense gap defense, which allowed the Wildcats to force turnovers and deflections. Senior center Vince Iwuchukwu and sophomore center Julius Halaifonua struggled when pressed with double teams, leading to many broken plays.
Nonetheless, Georgetown kept the game close as they limited Villanova’s 3-pointer and quality shot attempts. The Wildcats rank second in Big East 3-point percentage and fourth in total makes, making the Hoyas’ defensive effort particularly notable.
For the most part, junior guard KJ Lewis, sophomore guard Kayvaun Mulready and graduate guard Jeremiah Williams, among other perimeter players, did a nice job going over on pin-downs and pick-and-rolls to limit the threat of Villanova’s deadly shooting. As a result, Georgetown held Villanova to 2-for-10 shooting from behind the arc in the first half. Additionally, the Hoyas slowed down the pace of the game by pressuring Villanova for the majority of the half.
The drama stepped up as both teams went back and forth to end the half. Regardless of his shot not falling, as he was 1-for-14 on the game, Mack appeared more comfortable to close the half, making a contested step-back three out of a pick-and-roll with 8:50 remaining, and found a cutting Mulready for a layup with 5:57 on the clock. With under 4 minutes in the first, Mack got to the free-throw line and converted on both foul shots. Villanova was able to generate points from the determined offensive rebounding of forward Duke Brennan, who had 10 rebounds for the game, and aggressive drives to the hoop from guard Tyler Perkins. Georgetown went into the second half down 26-23.
Once the second half began, the Hoyas seemed completely disoriented. On the very first possession of the half, Iwuchukwu turned the ball over on the inbound pass, which allowed a layup from Villanova guard Acaden Lewis.
Just 10 seconds later, Mack turned over to Perkins, resulting in another open layup. These plays were just two of many unforced turnovers, in addition to the lack of defensive rotations, that left the Hoyas stunned by a 10-0 Wildcat run in the first 2:36, as the Hoyas found themselves down 36-23 with 17:24 left in the contest. At the under-16, Villanova had shown a shocking 14-1 run to open the half.
As the second half dragged on, turnovers continued to plague the Hoyas. In fact, Georgetown did not make a field goal from the 5:57 mark of the first half until Mulready hit a 3-pointer with 14:33 to go in the second, with the Hoyas trailing 42-27.
Despite a continued 3-point barrage from Villanova coming out of the under-12, Mulready was one of a handful of players who showed some resistance with a strong drive-through contact to convert on a layup with 10:49 to go, as well as a catch-and-shoot three following a Hoya timeout with 9:26 left to play and the Hoyas down 55-34.
The Hoyas showed some life towards the end of the game as the team went on a 17-11 run to close it out, led by Lewis, Abraham, Williams and Iwuchukwu. However, these efforts were too little too late as the Hoyas’ 17 turnovers proved to be insurmountable. Georgetown ultimately fell short, losing 66-51 against a formidable Villanova squad.
After the game, Cooley said he was disappointed by the Hoyas’ collapse during the second half.
“Obviously not very happy with the way we played in the second half,” Cooley said in a press release. “I loved our energy and toughness in the first half.”
The Hoyas will next embark on a short road trip into hostile territory to face Providence College (9-10, 2-6 Big East) on Jan. 24 at 12:30 p.m. in Providence, R.I.
