LINKS: Creighton Closes Out Home Hoyas

The Georgetown Hoyas (12-7, 2-4) lost to the Creighton Bluejays (11-8, 2-4). Neither team played consistent defense and the game was, as expected, a race to 90 points.

While stops were infrequent on both ends, Georgetown’s strongest possessions typically came from running out after defensive rebounds but Creighton seemed equally content to fastbreak or work their halfcourt sets.

The Hoyas did not lose this game in similar fashion to recent tough losses, but the inability to capitalize on opportunities to close the gap late—either by stopping the Bluejays or making a big bucket—made the defeat feel all too familiar for Georgetown’s season.

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Georgetown can’t close the deal in another tight loss, this time to Creighton | WASHINGTONPOST

The Hoyas stayed close after that, though Creighton issued an immediate response — often in the form of another three-pointer — the next several times Georgetown got within a possession.

The Hoyas finally got a stop on defense thanks to a block from Jamorko Pickett and were able to string together back-to-back three-pointers from Govan and Jahvon Blair to tie the game at 70 with just under nine minutes to play. The two teams traded points after that until Alexander’s three with under a minute to play, a bucket that all but sucked the air out of Capital One Arena.

Creighton Defeats Georgetown, 91-87, in Big East’s Lone MLK Day Game | BIGEASTCOASTBIAS

...each time Georgetown enjoyed a small advantage, a Creighton three-pointer would suck the momentum out of the building. Alexander hit consecutive three-pointers to tie the game on two separate occasions in the span of one minute. The Bluejays’ well-timed buckets prevented the Hoyas from extending their lead to more than four points for the remainder of the half, and Georgetown led by just one point at halftime, despite owning an advantage in rebounds and turnovers...

The second half mirrored the first, but it was Creighton that enjoyed a slim lead throughout... Georgetown regained the lead briefly after Govan responded with a pair of made free throws, but the Bluejays executed well down the stretch. Alexander found himself wide open from three-point range after several players from both teams chased a loose ball, and the sophomore drilled the go-ahead shot to win the game.

Late heroics help Creighton defeat Georgetown, ending Jays’ four-game skid in Big East | OMAHA

Georgetown went in front 82-79 with about three minutes left. But Creighton ended the game on a 12-5 run...

Alexander poured in 26 points — he made six 3-pointers. Mintz finished with 17 points, and freshmen Marcus Zegarowski and Samson Froling both added 11.

Coach Greg McDermott said he thought his players did the little things, too. They had a season-low seven turnovers. They ended up just minus-3 on the glass. They went 18 of 24 from the free-throw line. They executed decently well with two bigs on the floor at the same time, the first time they’ve shown that lineup in Big East play. And they made hustle plays throughout.

Men’s Basketball Earns Road Win at Georgetown | GOCREIGHTON

Creighton fell behind 21-13 in the first nine minutes before an 8-0 run evened the score with 7:40 to go in the opening half. The first half featured five ties but Creighton never led, as the Hoyas took a 42-41 edge to the locker room at intermission...

Creighton took its first lead of the game in the opening minute of the second half, when Mitch Ballock drained a three-pointer in transition to make it 44-42. After a trey by Greg Malinowski put Georgetown back in front by one, Creighton answered with a 9-2 run in the next 1:50 of game action to build a 53-47 advantage. Davion Mintz scored four of those points, and the run was highlighted by a steal and breakaway dunk by Martin Krampelj.

McClung scores 10, but Alexander lifts Creighton over Georgetown | HERALDCOURIER

McClung finished with 10 points – all in the first half – on 4-of-11 shooting. The former Gate City High School star also had two rebounds, two assists and one turnover...

Mintz had 17 points for Creighton. [] Jessie Govan had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Georgetown and Akinjo a career-high 11 assists. Georgetown’s six conference games have all been decided by six points or less, two in overtime. The teams combined to go 25 of 56 from 3-point range with a total of 16 turnovers. The big lead for both teams was eight points.

Different Line-up, Same Result: Georgetown Falls to Creighton, 91-87 | CASUALHOYA

When asked if he took any solace in the losses all being close, Ewing responded “No” without hesitation.

“At the end of the day, it’s a loss,” Ewing said. “We have to grow up fast, the freshmen have to grow up faster than they’re growing up, the upperclassmen have to step up and get the job done.”

DMV Hoopin’: Hoyas Drop Another Close Home Game | MTCWITHMOOK

Georgetown head coach, Patrick Ewing, made two changes to his starting lineup. Out was Jamorko Pickett and James Akinjo and in was Greg Malinowski and Jagan Mosely. Both teams got off to a slow start shooting the ball but then it picked up.

Creighton’s leading scorer, Ty-Shon Alexander, went for 16 points on 5-8 (4-6 from the three point line) shooting in the first half. No matter who the Hoyas put on his, Alexander consistently got into his scoring zone. When Alexander wasn’t scoring from the perimeter, the Bluejays attacked Govan inside. Most of the success came from back up, Samson Froling. Froling had 7 in the first half. He averages 4.4 points per game this season.