It was a bittersweet afternoon for the seniors on the Georgetown women’s basketball team (17-9, 9-7 Big East), as they won their final home game at McDonough Arena. The team defeated the visiting Xavier Musketeers (11-16, 3-13 Big East), 81-63, behind an 18-point performance from senior forward Faith Woodard that also included an assist, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Junior guard Dorothy Adomako also chipped in 17 points, and senior guard Tyshell King had 16 points. Sophomore forward Imani Partlow led the Musketeers with 15 points, seven rebounds, and a block.
The Hoyas led from start to finish and by as much as 20 points in the third quarter. While Xavier occasionally cut the lead to single digits, they never truly threatened, and the Hoyas were in control the entire game. Woodard opened the scoring with a cutting layup, which was matched by the Musketeers, but eight early points from King, which included two three pointers, outmatched Xavie. From that point on, Georgetown never looked back, and finished the quarter up 23-11.
After a relatively even opening, Xavier finished the second quarter on a 7-2 run to bring the deficit to within four points, the closest the Musketeers came in the game, but an explosive effort from sophomore guard Dionna White stretched the lead back to nine by halftime.
The Hoyas came out of the locker room hot, and opened the second half on an 8-0 run, six of which came from Adomako, including two from a beautiful spin move in the post. The momentum kept up, and the Blue and Gray finished the quarter with a thirteen-point cushion, 59-46.
In the fourth, the Hoyas did not let up. As the clock wound down, Georgetown Head Coach Natasha Adair reached deep into the bench and put in freshman guard Marvellous Osagie-Erese. Osagie-Erese, who was a manager before walking onto the team, drove to the basket before being fouled. She sank one of her two free throws for her first career points for the Hoyas.
“That was the best gift I could have gotten on senior night, just to see her score,” said Woodard. The bench exploded with raucous cheers when her first free throw went down.
The Hoyas applied consistent defensive pressure throughout the contest, forcing 19 turnovers including 10 steals, and 18 of their points coming off of turnovers. Xavier has averaged 62 points a game this year and by holding them to 64, Georgetown practiced what Adair has preached the entire season: when the team holds opponents to their average score, they win.
As seniors in their final home game, Woodard, King, and senior guard Jade Martin all started the game. Following graduation, Woodard will be attending graduate school for journalism. King will be heading to New York to pursue a career in fashion.
“They’re like my own children, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Adair.
Next Friday, the team travels to Milwaukee, WI to face Marquette, who will host the Big East tournament this year.
“It’s a chance for us to get used to the floor, to get used to the environment,” said Woodard.
The Hoyas match against Marquette will tip off at 8:00 pm Eastern, and will be available for streaming on the Big East Digital Network.
