In his career at Georgetown, head coach John Thompson III has reached a Final Four, won multiple Big East championships, won a national coach of the year award, and sent multiple players into the NBA. However, since his hiring in 2002, Thompson has never won a game at Syracuse. That is, until Wednesday night.
The No. 11 Hoyas (19-5, 8-4 Big East) came to the Carrier Dome on a blistering six-game winning streak, which they extended to seven with a 64-56 victory over No. 13 Syracuse (20-5, 7-5 Big East).
It was clear from the start of the game that the trio of Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark were in top form, with the three of them accounting for 14 of the team’s first 16 points.
Despite Georgetown’s strong start, the Hoyas went cold and didn’t score a single point for five minutes, allowing the Orange to get back into the game and take a two-point lead.
Georgetown’s bench was responsible for keeping the Hoyas level with Syracuse. Freshman Markel Starks and sophomore Hollis Thompson provided some clutch points in the late moments of the first half right as Syracuse seemed to be pulling away. Starks dropped six points in the half while Thompson added five, including a timely three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining.
Perhaps the most important development in the game came in the second half, thanks to the smart and physical play of Julian Vaughn. The big man kept Syracuse standout center Rick Jackson at bay, sending him to the bench early in the half with his fourth foul.
Surprisingly, many Syracuse freshmen stepped in to fill the void left by Jackson, helping the Orange to a four-point lead with five minutes left in the game.
Once again, however, Hollis Thompson knocked down huge shots for the Hoyas, eventually leveling the game, 55-55.
The game was ultimately decided on a stunning 6-0 Georgetown run. From just over three minutes remaining down to the two-minute mark, the Hoyas easily scored three unanswered layups in quick succession to take control of the game and silence the crowd.
When the dust settled, the Hoyas came out on top, giving their coach his first win at Syracuse. Freeman, Clark, Vaughn, and Thompson all scored in double figures for the Hoyas, while Chris Wright added nine assists in what may have been his best game as a pure point guard. Wright set the pace for the Hoyas, who had 20 assists total that contributed to 44 points.
The seventh straight win brings Georgetown’s conference record to 8-4, which is incredible after the dismal 1-4 start. They are now in sole possession of third place in the Big East.
Georgetown will look to extend the streak to eight games this weekend against Marquette. Game time is scheduled for Sunday, 1 p.m. at the Verizon Center.
The No. 11 Hoyas (19-5, 8-4 Big East) came to the Carrier Dome on a blistering six-game winning streak, which they extended to seven with a 64-56 victory over No. 13 Syracuse (20-5, 7-5 Big East).
It was clear from the start of the game that the trio of Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark were in top form, with the three of them accounting for 14 of the team’s first 16 points.
Despite Georgetown’s strong start, the Hoyas went cold and didn’t score a single point for five minutes, allowing the Orange to get back into the game and take a two-point lead.
Georgetown’s bench was responsible for keeping the Hoyas level with Syracuse. Freshman Markel Starks and sophomore Hollis Thompson provided some clutch points in the late moments of the first half right as Syracuse seemed to be pulling away. Starks dropped six points in the half while Thompson added five, including a timely three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining.
Perhaps the most important development in the game came in the second half, thanks to the smart and physical play of Julian Vaughn. The big man kept Syracuse standout center Rick Jackson at bay, sending him to the bench early in the half with his fourth foul.
Surprisingly, many Syracuse freshmen stepped in to fill the void left by Jackson, helping the Orange to a four-point lead with five minutes left in the game.
Once again, however, Hollis Thompson knocked down huge shots for the Hoyas, eventually leveling the game, 55-55.
The game was ultimately decided on a stunning 6-0 Georgetown run. From just over three minutes remaining down to the two-minute mark, the Hoyas easily scored three unanswered layups in quick succession to take control of the game and silence the crowd.
When the dust settled, the Hoyas came out on top, giving their coach his first win at Syracuse. Freeman, Clark, Vaughn, and Thompson all scored in double figures for the Hoyas, while Chris Wright added nine assists in what may have been his best game as a pure point guard. Wright set the pace for the Hoyas, who had 20 assists total that contributed to 44 points.
The seventh straight win brings Georgetown’s conference record to 8-4, which is incredible after the dismal 1-4 start. They are now in sole possession of third place in the Big East.
Georgetown will look to extend the streak to eight games this weekend against Marquette. Game time is scheduled for Sunday, 1 p.m. at the Verizon Center.
