The Bulldogs ended the sport on a 17-Four run, taking their first lead since 3-Zero on a Bryce Golden jumper with 1:49 remaining, and held on because the Hoyas’ offense disappeared. Georgetown (3-7, 1-5 Large East) shot 24.1 p.c within the second half and missed 14 of its final 15 pictures. On the flip facet, the Bulldogs (3-5, 2-3) shot 41.9 p.c within the second half, which wasn’t nice however was sufficient. A Jamorko Pickett layup with 4:29 to go was the final Georgetown subject aim of the sport.
“Identical factor that’s been occurring for the final nevertheless many video games,” Georgetown Coach Patrick Ewing mentioned. “Dangerous selections. Dangerous pictures. Turnovers. The identical issues that’s been our Achilles’ heel. The identical issues we talked about, watch movie about, apply and attempt to do various things about after our final recreation.
“My upperclassmen should do higher. … They should do their half to assist us be a greater crew. I’m dissatisfied. This was a disappointing loss. Now we have to do higher.”
Pickett completed with a team-high 12 factors, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Jahvon Blair added 11 factors and eight rebounds. Qudus Wahab had 9 factors, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Chuck Harris scored a game-high 18 factors for Butler, and Jair Bolden added 13 factors and 6 rebounds.
“It was gritty, not fairly,” Butler Coach LaVall Jordan mentioned. “Saved it gritty sufficient to determine it out on the finish.”
Georgetown took a 34-27 lead into halftime because of a pair of late buckets from Blair and Pickett. The Hoyas had an 11-point lead early after a 17-Three run highlighted by two three-pointers from Dante Harris. The protection swarmed, and Butler struggled to get open seems and gave the impression to be affected by Georgetown’s size.
Giving up vital leads, nevertheless, has been a problem for the Hoyas. A Chuck Harris three-pointer, his third of the primary half and second in a row, began a 16-Eight stretch by which the Bulldogs reduce the result in two factors.
“Transition protection, we figured that out,” Butler guard Aaron Thompson mentioned. “Acquired again, obtained matched. They scored 9 or 12 factors off transition threes within the first half. As soon as we figured that out, obtained our protection set, we have been fairly laborious to play in opposition to at the moment.”
Turnovers have been the largest problem for the Hoyas this season; they entered the sport with the fourth-worst turnover margin within the nation, however they have been robust with the ball early. A loss to Marquette on Saturday began with turnovers on the primary 4 possessions, and late second-half turnovers helped seal the deal. Six first-half turnovers have been nonetheless too many, however they weren’t a problem as Georgetown constructed its double-digit lead. The Hoyas completed with 15 turnovers, and Butler scored 18 factors off them.
The perfect signal of the day was the aggression from Pickett. The senior had been held to eight factors or fewer within the earlier 4 video games after averaging 14.6 factors within the first 5 video games of the season.
“If we’re going to win, everybody has to do their half,” Ewing mentioned. “I’m simply dissatisfied within the reality we misplaced a tricky recreation that we had alternatives to win as soon as once more. We confirmed that we’re able to staying with individuals, however the errors that we made each offensively and defensively [are] killing us.”
Notes: Blair was again within the beginning lineup after being benched in opposition to Marquette for causes that Ewing declined to specify. . . .
Level guard Jalen Harris stays away from the crew due to a household problem, and Ewing mentioned earlier within the week that he was not sure in regards to the graduate switch’s return. . . .
Georgetown will journey to face rival Syracuse in a nonconference recreation at Eight p.m. Saturday.
