The Georgetown women’s basketball team was soundly defeated Wednesday night 78-46 at Virginia Tech. The loss, which marked the return of sophomore guard Sarah Jenkins to the starting lineup, leaves the Hoyas’ record at 13-8 (4-6 Big East).
Both teams were slow out of the gate, with Georgetown falling behind early. After six quick points to start the game, Virginia Tech was held scoreless for the next four minutes. Unfortunately, the Hoyas’ scoreless streak ran for the game’s first six minutes, ended by a layup from sophomore guard Mary Lisicky.
With a fast 7-0 run, the Hokies built a 13-3 lead. Junior forward Rebekkah Brunson began a six-point Hoyas spurt to keep Georgetown within striking distance, but the Hokies responded with tough defense. A few easy transition baskets later, the Hoyas were down 13.
At the half’s four-minute mark, the Hoyas had finally balanced out the game, but the half finished with the Hoyas down 12 by a score of 28-16. For the period, the Hoyas shot just 15 percent.
The second period saw a game much different from the slow, defensive-minded play of the first half. Both teams came out shooting frantically, with Virginia Tech having the hotter hands. Lisicky scored four points in an early run that cut Georgetown’s deficit to eight, but the Hokies answered right back, led by junior center Ieva Kublina.
“We need to stop Kublina, somehow. We’ve got to collapse on the middle and push her out,” said Head Coach Pat Knapp prior to the game. The Hoyas were unsuccessful in this venture, as Kublina scored 14 of her game-high 16 points in the second half.
The Hoyas had no inside presence in the latter part of the game, scoring only 16 points in the paint to the Hokies’ 32. To make matters worse, Brunson, who had three fouls called on her in the first half, picked up her fourth with 14:26 left in the game.
The Hokies were able to control the tempo until the nine-minute mark. With Georgetown having whittled the lead down to nine, Virginia Tech began a 29-9 run to close out the game. With 5:44 left, Brunson fouled out with 13 points and four rebounds, leaving the Hoyas for dead. Kublina torched Georgetown inside for six points during the stretch en route to a solid victory for Virginia Tech.
For the game, the Hoyas shot 21.6 percent, with only five players recording a field goal. Noticeably absent in the stat sheet was first-year forward Carmen Bruce. Bruce’s 20 points against West Virginia spurred the Hoyas to victory, however, against Virginia Tech she shot 0-6 from the field for six points.
The lack of a consistent third offensive weapon to complement Brunson and Lisicky has been felt hard this season.
Against Notre Dame last Wednesday, Georgetown held a three-point lead at halftime, however, Notre Dame erupted in the second half on the way to a 74-49 victory.
Bruce added 14 points and eight rebounds in addition to Brunson’s 12 points and 12 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season, but the Hoyas were unable to hold on.
“Any time you have more scoring balance, you’re harder to guard,” said Knapp.
Georgetown will look to Bruce to fill the offensive void as they attempt to rebound against Syracuse, who they defeated 82-75 on Jan. 15. The Hoyas take on the Orangewomen on Saturday at 2 p.m. in McDonough Arena.
