Georgetown fans were in for a rollercoaster ride, albeit a familiar one, as the women’s basketball team (1-0, 0-0 Big East) opened its season against George Washington (0-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10) on Friday night.
The Hoyas got off to a rocky start, and found themselves trailing by 10 points within the first five minutes of the game as the team struggled offensively. With George Washington skillfully locking down the paint and limiting looks to long, difficult jumpers, it seemed like it would be a long night for the Hoyas. However, Georgetown was just warming up. After practicing hard all offseason and summer, the players just needed some time, and perhaps a sense of urgency, to switch into game mode.
Senior forward Faith Woodard led the Hoyas in the first, scoring four layups, a three pointer, and tacking on one at the line for a total of 12 points After making a push to end the quarter, Georgetown was able to narrow the gap, only trailing the Colonials 18-14 entering the second.
Though the Hoyas looked poised to make a run at the end of the first period, the Colonials worked with a renewed vigor to rebuild their cushion. At the end of the first half, George Washington was leading the game with a score of 24-32, doubling their lead from the end of the first period.
While their offensive production was respectable, the Colonials owed their lead to their lockdown defense. Junior forward Kelli Prange, who stands 6-foot-5, intimidated in the paint, and the team’s three guard lineup effectively stayed in front of the drives and contested the threes forced as a result. At halftime, the Hoyas had shot .286 (8-28).
The Colonials continued to fend off the Hoyas in the third, and led by eight points entering the fourth quarter.
Finally, it was crunch time, and the Hoyas returned to the court for the fourth with new energy and a single goal: to win. Georgetown Head Coach Natasha Adair pulled her team together and called on the Hoyas to fight to the game’s final whistle.
“She just said ‘it’s winning time,’” said Woodard.
Five minutes into the final period, Georgetown had cut the lead to 55-54, outscoring George Washington 18-8. Junior guard Dorothy Adomako and Woodard led the team, scoring a combined 17 points for Georgetown. Once Georgetown took control of the pace, George Washington started to wither. The teams were neck and neck until the final two minutes, when the Hoyas pulled away for good, finishing the game 72-57.
In the end, Woodard led the Hoyas, with 22 points and 11 boards. Adomako also notched a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards, with eight of Adomako’s points coming down the stretch. Rebounding was a key to Georgetown’s success, especially on the offensive end, where the team totaled for 17.
“The ball’s not falling, so we need to get second and third opportunities, because the percentages go up at that point,” said Adair.
Georgetown capitalized well on the offensive boards, and scored 17 second-chance points in its opening-night victory.
Fortune smiled upon the Hoyas, as George Washington struggled mightily from the charity stripe. The Colonials shot 14-28 from the free throw line, including 0-6 in the fourth.
As Adair promised, the five spot, the only starting position not claimed by a returner, was filled versatilely. Junior center Yazmine Belk started the game, but played only eight total minutes– fewer than both junior forward Cynthia Petke, who chipped in only three points– but also secured four rebounds, three of which were on the offensive end, and freshman center Olivia Ramil. Ramil’s contribution was modest in the box score, as she had four points, two rebounds, and a steal, but her presence earned her high praise after the game.
“She had just integral minutes,” said Adair of Ramil’s performance. “She was so concerned about a layup she missed that she didn’t understand the impact of her being out there.”
Ramil’s hustle allowed her to space the floor on attack, and stay in front of smaller players in her own half.
Peyton, the Hoyas’ adopted “younger sister,” joined the team on the court for the pregame ceremonies.
“She came in the locker room and she told the girls, ‘just give it your best!’” recounted Adair. “It was great to see her here.”
After proving that they can get it done at home, the Hoyas begins to prepare for a seven-game stint on the road. The team returns to action at Virginia Tech, on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m EST. The game will be available to stream on WatchESPN.
