In a frustrating year for fans of Georgetown basketball, the women’s team has occasionally provided succor. The team, after all, boasts two record-smashing players, senior Rebekkah Brunson-the first woman ever to lead the Big East in both scoring and rebounding-and Mary Lisicky-a junior who broke the university’s three-point shooting record earlier this season. This is the first time in a decade that a pair of thousand-point scorers have played for Georgetown at the same time.
The Hoyas nearly upset some of the best teams in the country, recorded some impressive victories (including their first over a ranked opponent in seven seasons), and sufficiently dominated other struggling programs. Yet the quality wins have been few and far between. Despite the generally brilliant play of Brunson, the Hoyas now stagger into the Big East tournament needing to win a pair of games to even qualify for the second-tier NIT tournament.
The end of the Hoyas’ regular season was emblematic of their entire year. In their last five games, the Hoyas romped three bottom feeders and played tough against two formidable opponents, but could not find a way to win either game. Last week, Georgetown overwhelmed Providence College and lost 60-71 to no. 24 Boston College.
Playing at home before a meager crowd, Providence’s Women Friars (4-22, 0-15 Big East) provided a scare for Georgetown before folding early in the second half. Coming off a 35 point, 22 rebound, GU record-setting performance against the Syracuse Orangewomen, Brunson again dominated inside against Providence, repeatedly scoring on put-backs and collecting 14 points and nine rebounds in the first half alone. The Hoyas went into intermission up 33-27, as their suspect defense-coupled with a lack of offensive production from their other starters-allowed the Friars to stay in the game.
As they have done several times this year, the Hoyas dropped the guillotine early in the second half. Behind the shooting of Brunson and Lisicky, Georgetown began the period with an 8-0 run to go up by 14. The Hoyas kept Providence at arms’ length the rest of the way, subbing deep into their bench and leading by as much as 22 with 2:29 to go. Brunson led the Hoyas with 30 points and 13 boards, while senior Sarah Jenkins added 12 and Lisicky and junior Bethany LeSueur added 10 apiece. Following the game, Brunson was named the Big East player of the week for the sixth time this season.
Georgetown could not parlay the momentum from their two lopsided wins into a road victory against the much-loathed Golden Eagles of Boston College. As they have so often this season, the Hoyas struggled to hit shots, but managed to stay within striking distance until the game’s final minutes, at which point they watched the Eagles hit their obligatory free throws and seal the victory. The Hoyas were again led by Brunson (18 points and 13 rebounds), Jenkins (12 points) and Lisicky (nine points). Senior forward Varda Tamoulianis also chipped in with 10 points and six boards for Georgetown.
After the game, Georgetown Head Coach Pat Knapp cited his team’s lack of offensive execution, poor substitute guard play, and early foul trouble as primary reasons for their loss. When asked about the Hoyas’ upcoming Big East tourney contest with Virginia Tech, Knapp said, “We’re looking to win … we are going to need to limit their inside scorers-something we didn’t do last night [Boston College]. They’re bigger and stronger than us … it should be a great game.”
The Hoyas’ season comes down to this first-round rematch with Virginia Tech. Playing at home against the Hokies in mid-January, Georgetown blew open a close game in the final minutes to record an impressive and emotional victory. Fans of Hoya hoops hope for a similar performance when their heroines take the floor against Virginia Tech this Saturday at the Hartford Civic Center in CT.
