Hoyas nail free throws, tough out victory

January 14, 2015 - Having blown a five point intermission lead, the Georgetown Hoyas were in danger of losing another should-have-won game, finding itself down to DePaul on the road, 53-49 with almost eleven and a half minutes to play. Not this time, as head coach John Thompson III's team went on a 21-7 run over the course of greater than eight minutes, a scoring advantage that would seal their 78-72 victory at DePaul's Allstate Arena.

The Hoyas scored 10 points from the field during this decisive stretch, 11 via charity stripe attempts; the team didn't miss a free throw then. Thompson received a boost in that department from senior forward Mikael Hopkins, a season long 49% shooter from the line, who hit four straight attempts. For the game, the Hoyas managed to sink 26-32 (81.3%) of their foul shots, compared to DePaul's 13 of 17 mark, a healthy 76.5%.

The Blue Demons, 9-9, 3-2 in the BIG EAST, enjoyed a benefit from the line earlier in the period, canning four free throws awarded in a questionable manner when senior Hoya swingman Aaron Bowen was assigned a foul and confusing technical foul arguing it. DePaul then led 49-47 with 13:44 on the clock.

Junior point guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera scored a game high 25 points while also pacing the contest with eight rebounds. Six of his 10 made (attempted 13) free throws were scored during the game's last minute and a half. DePaul deployed it's diamond press which Smith-Rivera and the Hoyas handled well during this stretch, including him being the designated ball handler/foul receiver. He went to the free throw stripe eight times during the last ninety seconds, hitting six.

To start the game DePaul was on fire, shooting 57% in the first half, including three early long balls, the last a shot by sophomore point guard Billy Garrett, Jr., going though the rim with 14:34 to play. Shortly thereafter, and trailing 19-11, Thompson shunned his 2-3 zone for a man to man matchup utilized basically until the game's conclusion. For the game DePaul shot 43.9% from the field and 40.9% on three balls.

Myke Henry, a junior forward accounted for and led DePaul with 17 points, while also logging seven rebounds. Seven of those points came before G'Town's defensive switch.

Garrett scored 16 points on 4-12 shooting for DePaul, his life made harder by varied defenders assigned him and hard hedging by G'Town's bigs. Nevertheless he led the game with five assists, while only committing one turnover.

Senior swingman Jabril Trawick joined Smith-Rivera as the only Hoyas in double figures, his 11 points all coming in the first half included three layups and a pair of foul shots as he aggressively drove, and a three ball. Three Hoyas scored eight points for the game - senior center Joshua Smith and freshman swingman L.J. Peak along with classmate, forward Isaac Copeland.

G'Town (11-5, 3-2) shot 50% with a 23-46 mark, and 40% (6-15) on threes. Thompson's team also outrebounded DePaul 32-28.

This win, only the seventh time out of 21 tries a BIG EAST team has defeated a conference foe on the road this season can't be celebrated long by Thompson et al - they welcome Butler, also a road winner Tuesday night at Seton Hall, on Saturday. Tip-off is 5p EST.

DePaul's Blue Devils are off until Sunday, when they host St. John's, a 130 CST start.