The rule of thumb for the Hoyas this season: as Chris Wright goes, so goes Georgetown.
Entering Wednesday night’s contest against Pittsburgh, the Hoyas were 12-0 when Wright scored in double figures, 1-3 when he didn’t. Against Pitt, Wright reached double figures.
The No. 14 Hoyas (14-3, 5-2 Big East) ended a three-game losing streak against the No. 11 Panthers (15-3, 5-1 Big East), taking down the Big East’s co-leader 74-66, on one of the conference’s toughest home courts.
Pitt had not lost at the Peterson Events Center in 31 games, the nation’s second longest home winning streak, and Georgetown became just the second team to win more than once in the arena.
The Panthers would not give up the streak easily, keeping pace with the Hoyas for most of the contest. The two teams had been deadlocked 31-31 at halftime, and were tied with just over six minutes to play in the game.
But Wright distinguished the Hoyas. The junior guard had 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including five consecutive points to start a 7-0 run putting Georgetown ahead for good late in the second half.
Wright was backed up by three other double-figure scoring performances. Sophomore Greg Monroe had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season, and junior Austin Freeman, limited to 27 minutes with foul trouble, also scored 13 points.
After being held scoreless and fouling out last game against Villanova, junior Julian Vaughn had a complete game with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Junior reserve Gilbert Brown had a career-high 20 points to lead the Panthers.
Even after the Hoyas late run, the Panthers refused to relent. Pitt closed to six with just under a minute to play, but thanks to their ineffective three-point shooting (4-of-18 on the night), and clutch free throw shooting by Monroe and Freeman (6-of-8 in the final minute), Georgetown held on.
Next up for the Hoyas is a Rutgers team still looking for its first conference victory. Tip-off is at noon, Saturday, at the Verizon Center.
