After starting off their nonconference slate on a losing note, the Georgetown men’s basketball team reversed their fortunes in their conference opener Wednesday night, as the Hoyas (8-5, 1-0 Big East) won at DePaul (6-7, 0-1 Big East) 70-58.
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Senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and sophomore forward Isaac Copeland each had 15 points to lead the way for the Hoyas, while sophomore guard L.J. Peak added 14 points in his first game off the bench this season. DePaul junior guard Billy Garrett Jr. had a game-high 21 points for the Blue Demons.
With sophomore guard Tre Campbell taking his place in the starting lineup, Peak brought much needed energy for the Hoyas off the bench with his dribble penetration and perimeter defense. Along with his 14 points, off 4-of-8 shooting, Peak had four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Hoyas led by as many as 15 points, 47-32, after a three-pointer by Peak with 13:05 left to play in the second half. The Blue Demons were able to cut the deficit back to eight points, 55-47, at the 6:14 mark after a free throw from freshman guard Eli Cain. But a three-pointer from Copeland off an assist from Peak pushed the lead back to double-digits with 5:26 left, and the Hoyas never looked back.
A combined 15-2 run over the final minutes of the first half and opening minutes of the second half gave the Hoyas breathing room in their first double-digit victory since they defeated Brown on Dec. 5. Georgetown led 32-27 at halftime.
Georgetown shot 38 percent from the field (21-of-55), 44 percent from three-point range (10-of-23), and 78 percent from the free throw line (18-of-23). DePaul shot 39 percent from the field (21-of-54), 33 percent from three-point range (3-of-9), and 54 percent from the free throw line (13-of-24).
The Hoyas will look to extend their two-game winning streak when they return home this Saturday to face Marquette (10-3, 0-1 Big East) at Verizon Center. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
