Hoyas Hold the Line: Georgetown Edges Seton Hall in Nail-Biting 61-60 Big East Showdown
The Georgetown Hoyas held off a late Seton Hall comeback to secure a dramatic 61-60 victory over the Pirates in a Big East thriller. The game featured stellar individual performances and a nail-biting finish that had fans out of their seats for the final minutes. Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses, with Georgetown's defense and Seton Hall's late surge taking center stage.
Georgetown came out strong, dominating the first half fueled by precise shooting and defensive intensity. They went into the locker room with a 9 point lead after being up by as much as 12. Thomas Sorber led the way for the Hoyas, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks, controlling both ends of the floor for Georgetown in his return to his home state.
The Pirates struggled offensively throughout the game. They only managed to hit 12% of their 3-pointers and shot just under 30% from the field. Their secret to staying in the game was hitting over 70% of their free throws. Isaiah Coleman led all scorers with 25 points and contributed 9 rebounds, merely missing a double-double.
In the second half, Seton Hall mounted a spirited comeback. Sparked by Chauncee Jenkins off the bench, the Pirates tightened their defense and found their rhythm offensively. Jenkins and Dylan Addae-Wusu both contributed 9 points, providing crucial support for Coleman as the Pirates closed the gap.
With 4 minutes left the Pirates found themselves down 11 after a 3-pointer by Georgetown’s Caleb Williams. The bucket would be the last for the Hoyas for the entire game as Seton Hall went on a 10-0 run. This run brought the Pirates to within one point of tying the game, showcasing their resilience and determination in crunch time.
The final moments of the game were filled with tension. With 9 seconds on the clock Seton Hall had a chance to steal the victory in the last possession. Unfortunately they found heartbreak as they never got a potential game-winning shot off. Thomas Sarber stole the ball from Dylan Addae-Wusu as the buzzer sounded. Sarber led Georgetown’s defense throughout the game and in the most crucial moment.
Jayden Epps was another key contributor for Georgetown, tallying 15 points. Epps had left with an injury early in the second-half before coming back to close out the game. His efforts complemented Sorber’s dominance inside, giving the Hoyas a balanced offensive attack.
Statistical Standouts:
- Georgetown’s Efficiency: Georgetown shot 53% from the field (23-43) and 33% from 3 (4-12)
- Shooting Slump: Seton Hall’s poor shooting performance hurt them only hitting 29% of field goals (20-67) and 12% from 3 (3-24). Only staying in the game through their 73% free throw shooting (17-23)
- Dominating the boards: Seton Hall won the offensive rebound battle 22-7 and overall rebound battle 39-32
- Not Capitalizing on Turnovers: The Pirates won the turnover battle by 9 (19-10) but failed to gain a major advantage, only leading the Points Off Turnovers category by 3 points (13-10)
Takeaways:
Georgetown: The victory improved Georgetown’s record to 10-2, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the Big East. The team’s ability to withstand Seton Hall’s late-game surge highlighted their composure and defensive capabilities under pressure.
Seton Hall: Despite the loss, the Pirates showcased their potential. The Pirates have now dropped their 4th straight and 6th game in the last eight. Also adding another heart-breaking loss at the buzzer after losing just over a week ago on a buzzer-beating shot by Rutgers star Dylan Harper. Coleman’s performance and the team’s never-say-die attitude will serve as building blocks for their next game after winter break against Xavier.
