Led by the outstanding play of senior forward Rebekkah Brunson, over the winter recess Georgetown’s women’s basketball team emerged as a legitimate contender for the NCAA tournament while the rest of the student body vacillated between listlessly watching television and attempting to “make out” with high school crushes. The contrast could not have been more marked.
Though they went into the break with four victories (all on the road) and two losses (both at McDonough), during the non-denominational Christmas vacation the Lady Hoyas quickly reversed these trends by upending Loyola at home on Dec. 20.
Brunson ripped the Greyhounds apart, scoring 31 points – 14 in a row during one seven minute stretch-and bringing down a remarkable 21 rebounds. Both stats are career bests for the 6’3” team captain, and her 21 boards were one shy of the school record. During the game Brunson became the only Lady Hoyas’ player ever to rank in the top five in both career points and rebounds. Carmen Bruce and Mary Lisicky chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the 70-53 win.
It was Lisicky’s turn to star in the Hoyas’ next contest, a 71-63 home win over Saint Francis. It was a nip and tuck battle with the Hawks throughout, until Lisicky broke it open in the final two minutes with a three-point dagger and clutch free throw shooting to ice the victory. Lisicky led the Hoyas with 23 points and tied her own school record with seven treys in the game. Not to be outdone, Brunson added 16 markers and a school record of her own: eight blocked shots. Following the game Brunson was named Big East Player of the Week, the third time this year she has received the honor.
The Hoyas faltered in their next two contests, losing both their games in San Diego State’s third annual Surf-N-Slam Tournament. Perhaps the surfing was better. In their first match Georgetown lost to San Diego State: after a close game, SDSU pulled away in the final three minutes, eventually winning 65-58. The Hoyas had four starters score in double-digits led by Bruce’s 14. Senior center Varda Tamoulianis scored 13, junior guard Bethany LeSueur added 11 and Brunson chipped in 10.
In the consolation match-up the Hoyas again played tough and saw the game slip away at the end, this time to Maryland in overtime, 66-63. The game was played in the Jenny Craig Pavilion, a most unfortunate sponsor that not even we at the Voice can make up. Lisicky and Bruce led Georgetown with 17 and 16 tallies, respectively. Brunson added 13 points, 10 boards, and 7 blocked shots in her 38th career double-double.
Georgetown’s slide continued in their next contest, a 57-46 loss to Seton Hall in the Hoyas’ Big East premiere. Despite shooting almost 50 percent from the floor in the second half, the Hoyas never quite got the lead after starting the stanza down 11. Georgetown was led by Brunson’s 18 and Tamoulianis’ 10 points, and during the game Brunson recorded her 127th career blocked shot, moving into second place in the history of Georgetown women shot-blockers.
Undoubtedly the biggest game of the vacation was the Hoyas’ thrilling 76-73 victory over Notre Dame, their first victory over the Irish in 16 years. Scoring seven points in the final 27 seconds, the Hoyas came from behind to even their Big East record at 1-1. In a game featuring 14 lead changes and 14 ties, Georgetown’s supporting cast turned in a gutsy performance: after Brunson fouled out with 2:10 to go, Sarah Jenkins, LeSueur, and Bruce led the comeback. Brunson again led the Hoyas with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but Lisicky’s 17, LeSueur’s 14, and Bruce’s 12 points were just as crucial in securing the victory.
For their next match-up the Hoyas traveled to Storrs, Conn. to face perennial powerhouse UCONN. This game was perhaps most indicative of how far Georgetown has come: after losing to UCONN by 23, 40, and 44 points in the past two seasons, Georgetown entered halftime in this contest with a three point lead. It was the first time UCONN entered the half trailing a Big East opponent in four years. Connecticut came out of intermission on fire, however, and outscored the Hoyas 23-4 over the first 10:18. Georgetown was never able to get back into the game, and eventually fell 69-51. Still, it was the second lowest point total in the season for the Lady Huskies. Tamoulianis ’ 13 and freshman forward Kate Carlin’s 11 points led the Hoyas. Brunson was held to eight points, the first time this year she failed to reach double figures. In their following game UCONN fell to Notre Dame, which further improves the Hoyas’ tourney chances without requiring a Georgetown win.
