Hoyas cant hold lead, fall in R.I.

January 10, 2014 - The Providence Friars came back from down seven in the second half, withstood Georgetown inducing overtime and clawed to a 60-57, home Dunkin Donuts Arena win. The Hoyas are now 10-5, 2-2 in the BIG EAST. Providence improved to 13-4, 3-1).

First half was an 23-21, Providence led defensive grinder, with the Hoyas primarily utilizing man-to-man schemes, Providence focusing on its 2-3 zone. Neither team flourished offensively; Georgetown scored their fewest first stanza output of the year, failing to get movement against and attack the seams of Provy's defense. The Friars, despite 12 points from senior forward LaDontae Henton missed shots, a number of them open looks. The Friars managed just 23.5% first half shooting, Georgetown checked in at 32.4%

Speaking of Henton, the BIG EAST's leading scorer, Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, as indicated previously, assigned multiple defenders to him. In the first half, senior swingman Jabril Trawick, freshman guard/forward L.J. Peak and his classmates, forwards Isaac Copeland and Paul White found themselves opposite Henton, either as assigned or on switches/pick-ups.

The Hoyas top scorers of junior guad D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (14.3 ppg), senior center Joshua Smith (12.8ppg) and Peak who drops 10.1 each time out, scored three, five and two points in the first 20 minutes, respectively, with Smith also saddled with two fouls. A bright spot was the Hoyas bench, producers of 11, initial stanza points.

Trawick clearly was charged with getting into the seams of Providence's zone, early on making plays, even leaking out on a break and completing an and-one opportunity, giving his team a 30-26 lead.

Providence head guy Ed Cooley urged his team to "Stay confident", as well as "score in transition. They are setting their defense and we're struggling a little bit", comments heard during Fox Sports 1's timeout looking after the 2nd TV break. (Hats off to the network for providing these unscripted moments).

Almost by script, his team showed more energy, with sophomore guard Kris Dunn scoring an and-one off the drive, and the Friars following a bad Hoya fast break attack with Henton's lay up attempt and foul. Unfortunately for them during that stretch, Smith-Rivera hit a three and two foul shots, with White later driving the seam and dropping a nice wrap around pass to Smith for two. Providence, then forced to call timeout, trailed 41-34 with 8:15 remaining in regulation.

The Friars subsequently enjoyed a seven-zip run, forcing a Thompson timeout. Precipitating Providence's success was Josh Smith's fourth foul just over the seven minute mark.

The Hoyas found themselves down two with 16.9 seconds after Henton made one of two free throws. White's three ball attempt rimmed off, Smith battled for the board and went over his left shoulder for a follow hook, tying the game and setting up overtime.

During bonus play Bill Rafferty, Fox Sports 1 color analyst said "Sometimes it's all about making plays and talent". Providence's Dunn illustrated, it, driving into the lane of a curl and stepping back for a three ball. He scored eight points on OT.

G'Town's Smith was also a force, calling for the ball and receiving it, where he scored three of four charity stripe attempts. For the game Smith finished with 15 points and a game high 12 rebounds, a point total matched by Smith-Rivera. White logged 12 points and four rebounds for the Hoyas, who shot 36.8% overall, 26.5% on threes, and sank 55% of their foul shots.

Providence's offensive numbers were equally forgettable - 31.6% on all shots, 20% on three pointers, though Cooley's squad did shoot 70% from the foul line. His two best players performed when necessary, as Henton finished with 19 points, eight in the second half, while Dunn (16 points and a game leading nine assists) dropped 14 points after intermission.

The Friars again take the court January 14th, when twenty-fourth ranked St. John's comes to town for a 7p start.

Georgetown stays on the road, traveling to DePaul January 13th, where they tip-off at 9p.

Both times are EST.