The Georgetown women’s basketball team will face the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers tonight in a game that marks the opening of Big East play. So far this year, the Hoyas have been a force to be reckoned with in non-conference action, reaching a lofty No. 11 national ranking this week. The team looked to bring a four-game winning streak into Piscataway, N.J., but those hopes were derailed earlier in the week.
Sugar Rodgers will lead the Hoyas into Big East play averaging 17.8 ppg. (Photo by Jackson Perry)
The Hoyas had gone south on Tuesday to play the University of Miami, where they came out on the wrong end of a fast-paced, evenly matched game. The Hurricanes leapt out of the gate hot—fueled by the excitement of playing a highly-ranked opponent in front of their home crowd. Initially, sloppy play and a quick pace favored the Hoyas, who were able to chip away at Miami’s early lead. The back-and-forth half ended in a 30-30 tie.
Just as in the first half, Miami got off to a hot start after the break, beginning with a 6-0 run. The sharpshooting of the Hurricanes from beyond the arc, combined with Georgetown’s foul trouble, made it difficult for the Hoyas to keep the game close.
“Our play gave Miami confidence, especially their shooters, and they thrived on that confidence,” head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. “We didn’t execute and it cost us the game.”
After falling behind by nine, the Hoyas began a steady climb back. Three-pointers from the dynamic backcourt duo of sophomore Sugar Rodgers and junior Rubylee Wright, helped Georgetown bring the score within one point.
With just over four minutes to play, a three from senior Monica McNutt gave the Hoyas their first lead in the second half, 63-62. The lead did not hold for long though. Miami responded by taking a three-point lead that would hold until the final minute of the game.
With just under 30 seconds remaining in the game, however, the Hoyas, down three, inbounded the ball. Rodgers received the pass, pump-faked, and knocked down a clutch three, sending the game into overtime with the teams tied at 68.
“After I hit that shot, I really thought we were going to win, but it just didn’t happen in overtime,” Rodgers said.
The Hurricanes dominated the extra period, taking control after a disputed intentional foul call. When the dust settled, the Hoyas lost 81-72.
“Dissecting Miami is simple,” Williams-Flournoy said. “We can’t give up 81 points and the ball over 23 times and expect to win. No team will win against a good team playing like that.”
Despite the tough loss, the Hoyas are focused and ready to begin Big East play against a robust Rutgers squad.
“It’s our first Big East game and the beginning of conference play. Our players don’t need anything to get up for that,” Williams-Flournoy said.
Historically, the Hoyas have struggled against the Scarlet Knights, with a 3-16 all-time record. Perhaps the toughest of those 16 losses was last year’s defeat in the Big East Tournament. Rutgers beat the Hoyas 63-56 in double-overtime, a disappointment the players have not forgotten.
“I’m excited about tomorrow’s game,” Rodgers said. “We feel like we owe them something from last year, and we want to pay them back. It should be a good game.”
