1/12/2003
Georgetown (9-2, 1-0) opened the 2002-2003 Conference schedule with a win on 1/12/03, defeating West Virginia (9-4, 1-1) in overtime 84-82. All American candidate Michael Sweetney paced all scorers and all rebounders on his way to his 27th double-double with 35 points and 19 rebounds. He also led both teams in blocks with 5, and had 4 assists and 3 steals. Tony Bethel contributed 14 points, including a one-handed three-pointer in traffic with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 74. Tony also hit two free throws in the closing seconds of the extra period to give the Hoyas the win. Gerald Riley added 12 tallies before receiving his fifth whistle after 25 minutes of playing time.
The opening frame saw the Hoyas rebounding well (13+14=27) while limiting West Virginia to 18 caroms. Georgetown shot 37.8% (14-37) while holding the Mountaineers to 32% (8-25). After trailing by as many as 5 twice, the Hoyas got serious in the final 5 minutes of the half and put together a 16-5 run to lead by 6 at intermission.
In the second stanza the Hoyas built 11 point leads three times only to see them undone by the mountaineers patient offense and outside shooting. When the last GU lead disappeared with 3:11 remaining, the Hoya faithful became nervous. When the visitors amassed a 5 point lead of their own with 1:34 left the nervousness grew. Fortunately, after Herber?s 2 made free throws with 1:02 remaining put the deficit back at 5, RaMell Ross hit a layup, Drew Hall made a steal and Tony Bethel hit a three in traffic to send the game into overtime.
In the bonus period, the charity stripe, which had been kind to the Mountaineers all game, turned on them. Down by 2, Herber missed a pair of free throws while Bethel didn?t.
For the game the Hoyas shot 45.7% (32-70) to WVU?s 42.9% (27-63). Georgetown grabbed 48 rebounds to their opponents 38. The final score was 84-82.
