November 19, 2017 - Georgetown led Maryland Eastern Shore from bell to bell yesterday, enjoying advantages of 26 in the first half, 27 during the last twenty minutes of play, before eventually downing the Hawks 83-57 in front of 6,381 Capital One Arena attending fans. The game was essentially over by its first TV timeout, when G’Town walked to the bench leading 15-2.
“We came out aggressive. We didn’t turn the ball over like we did in the first two games” summarized Hoya head coach Pat Ewing, of his team’s early start specifically and overall play, generally.
The Hoyas tallied just 13 giveaways, down from 18 to start the season against Jacksonville, and 16 during this week’s Mount St. Mary’s tilt.
Player-wise, junior wing Kaleb Johnson stepped up; he scored a career high 24 points on 9-13 shooting, including sinking four of five three pointers. That long ball tally exceeded the entire amount of such shots he made, last season.
Ewing indicated he was pleased with Johnson, opining , “This is probably one of his best games. Played with a lot of confidence. Knocked down shots. He was able to drive, finish. I think for us to be good, he’s going to have to continue to do that”.
Freshman UMES forward Miryne Thomas indicated Johnson’s success marked him, with the Hawk's game plan becoming “Make sure to know where he is on the floor”, and contesting his attempts.
Johnson, who also logged four six rebounds and four assists, credited hard work this summer for increased shooting output, along with the support of his coach.
“When I get my shots, take them. He’s always said that from the first time he set foot on campus” revealed Johnson. “It definitely gave me a lot of confidence”. Later Johnson added of Ewing, who previously noted Kaleb would be pulled from the game for turning down shots. “He always encourages me to shoot the ball, when I have my shot shoot it. That’s a big thing”.
The entire squad shot with confidence, finishing 51.7% from the field and 47.4% on three balls. Four other Hoyas reached double figure scoring – junior pivot Jessie Govan 23 points and game high 14 boards, junior forward Marcus Derrickson with 14 points (and ten rebounds), freshman guard Jahvon Blair who logged 12 points, four rebounds and four assists, in addition to ten points, four rebounds and a team high five helpers from senior guard Jonathan Mulmore.
Barometer of success: The Hoyas doubled UMES in assists (24-12), and nearly did so in boards (48-26).
UMES (1-2) was led in scoring by Thomas’ 16 points. Sophomore guard Ahmad Frost followed closely with 14 points for the Hawks, who shot just 32.3% from the field and 15.8% on three pointers, collectively. Tyler Jones, a sophomore forward, added 12 points and a team high eight caroms.
UMES left D.C. for St. Bonaventure, where the Bonnies await Monday at 7p EST. That game (a makeup for Wednesday’s postponement), yesterday’s Hoya contest, plus a pair of tilts in Florida followed by a trip to ODU constitute an 11 day, 3,039 day, Hawk sojourn.
“Yes. No” deadpanned UMES head guy Bobby Collins when asked if his young, inexperienced team was aware what’s ahead of them. “We have freshman. Right now they don’t know”. Of his guys that logged more than one minute yesterday, all are either frosh or sophomores. Given that reality, Collins is simply stressing an embrace of “the process”.
With a new coach in Ewing, the former Hoya and National Basketball Association great in his first head coaching gig, five new players and an entire roster in new roles, the Hoyas are figuring things out as well.
“I think each game we’re doing better and better” shared Johnson. “Last game we rebounded well, this game we cut down on turnovers. Each game is about improvement”.
The next development opportunity occurs 11.25, when they trip to the University Richmond, a 6p EST tip-off.
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