Charles Nailen/The Hoya Tennessee could not outdo its opponent in the NIT opener.
With a sterling performance from freshman Ashanti Cook and a tenacious trapping defense, the Hoyas pulled away from the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half to advance to the next round of the National Invitation Tournament with a 70-60 victory Tuesday night in Knoxville.
Cook, whose playing time had been limited this season due to a high-ankle sprain sustained during the Hoyas’ Jan. 8 loss at Duke, scored a career-high 16 points and dominated the end of the first half, scoring 11 consecutive points including two physics-defying layups. His efforts rallied the Hoyas from a five-point deficit to a 24-20 lead with 4:30 to go before intermission.
Cook’s scoring prowess continued into the second half. He opened the period, scoring for the Hoyas with a three pointer from the elbow to push his personal scoring streak to 14, and ignite a 12-1 Georgetown run that gave the Hoyas a lead the Volunteers would not reclaim.
More often the victims than the victors in close games this season, it appeared that the Hoyas’ inability to close out tight contests might again derail them when an ill-advised shot by freshman Brandon Bowman led to a fast-break dunk by Tennessee’s Brandon Crump. The two narrowed the Hoya lead to three with 7:08 to play.
This time, however, Georgetown reversed its course and, with Tennessee threatening to tie, junior Mike Sweetney rebounded a missed three-pointer by SEC Player of the Year Ron Slay and ran the court, received a lob pass and pivoted 180 degrees while still in the air to bank it home and push the lead back to five. A three-pointer by junior Gerald Riley on the Hoyas’ next possession gave Georgetown a 59-51 lead with just over five minutes remaining and the Vols never threatened again.
Despite being the only player in the nation to appear in the top 20 in scoring and rebounding Sweetney, named to the First Team All-Big East, was passed over for Conference Player of the Year honors. He finished the game with a team-high 17 points and 14 rebounds as well as four blocks. In addition to Sweetney and Cook, two other Hoyas finished the game in double figures in scoring with Riley dropping 15 points and senior center Victor Samnick contributing 11. Slay finished with 17 points to lead the Volunteers.
Ball control proved pivotal in the game’s outcome as Georgetown’s high pressure defense forced Tennessee to turn the ball over 19 times, compared to the Hoyas’ 10. Coming into the game, Georgetown was averaging 15.7 turnovers per game.
The Volunteers’ back court has suffered since losing senior guard Jon Higgins, who was declared ineligible for post season play.
With the victory, the Hoyas advance to face the winner of Charleston and Providence. The tip-off for that match is 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Last season, Georgetown declined its invitation to the NIT after narrowly missing an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Confusion surrounding Georgetown’s first round opponent, as well as the impossibility for Georgetown to host an NIT game, led to Esherick’s decision to decline.
Georgetown will again be unable to play at home due to the inflexibility of scheduling at MCI Center and the small seating capacity of McDonough Gymnasium.