This past week the Georgetown women’s basketball team (2-6, 0-0 Big East) continued its slow start to the season, as their losing streak climbed to five games. This past Friday at McDonough Arena, the Hoyas lost to Florida (4-1, 0-0 SEC), 73-81. Two days later, during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge, they lost a close contest to Holy Cross (1-6, 0-0 Patriot League) 69-73.
The inexperience of the team, which has no seniors and five freshmen, was evident throughout the weekend. In both games, the Hoyas kept the score close until the closing minutes, but were not able to close it out.
In the losing bout against Florida, which saw the Hoyas surrender a 38-34 halftime lead, the team was led by freshman forward Dorothy Adomako, who tallied a double-double with a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. Against Holy Cross, the Hoyas cut an 11-point deficit to one with 2:30 left in the game but could not regain the lead.
“We played extremely hard, it came down to the end, and just some inexperience didn’t go our way,” first-year Head Coach Natasha Adair said regarding the two games.
Despite the early season struggles, Adair feels that her team has formed an identity, and that the Hoyas have made a statement through their play.
“[These games show] that this is who we can be,” said Adair about her team. “This is how hard we can play… We’re fighting this hard and competing this hard against tough opponents is making us a better team.”
Although not satisfied with their start, Hoyas have grown closer together as a team, feeling their chemistry will be the difference maker in future games.
“[The team has] grown more as a family, and I’ve come to realize I know a lot of things about the team that I haven’t before,” said junior forward Dominique Vitalis, who has emerged as a team leader early on in the season. “I’ve learned a lot about them personally off the court which has helped us on the court.”
Looking to break their five-game losing streak, Vitalis Hoyas will return to action this Saturday when they travel to face the undefeated Princeton University Tigers (7-0, 0-0 Ivy League). Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.
