Nov. 16, 2008
Jacksonville, Ala. - The Georgetown University women's basketball team (1-0) defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0-2), 74-63, Sunday in its season opener. The Hoyas were led by senior Krystle Hatton who had a career game with 12 points and eight rebounds. GU showed a balanced attack with 11 players scoring including five freshmen.
"I thought we did some good things and we did some bad things, but for this team to get their first win, that's what they needed to get done," said Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "As a group, I'm pleased with the freshmen's performances. They got the first game jitters out of them and now they'll be ready to concentrate and focus."
The Hoyas started the season looking to the paint as they fed it to senior Krystle Hatton for the opening basket of 2008-09. The squads traded buckets for much of the first with Georgetown holding on to a slight advantage until the six minutes left in the half when the Hoyas staged a small run to get some breathing room. Up four at the 6:07 mark, Hatton went up strong in the paint and was fouled but managed to make the shot and the ensuing free throw for the three-point play. Freshman Tia McBride then added a layup a few seconds later to put the Hoyas up nine.
The Gamecocks came back thanks to a few looks from the charity stripe, but a long three from rookie Rubylee Wright with just seconds left once again gave GU a nine-point advantage. A late foul and free throw made it 35-27 at the break.
Georgetown shot 46.7 percent from the field and 85 percent from the line in the first. Hatton led the way with nine points and five rebounds. McBride also collected five caroms in the opening half.
The Hoyas came out fired up in the second with Latia Magee hitting a three to open the scoring. Georgetown continued to hold on to its lead as the game became more physical in the second half and junior reserve Jaleesa Butler proved to be the spark off of the bench with nine second half points all coming in the final nine minutes. Late in the game as the Gamecocks were forced to foul, junior guard Shanice Fuller sealed the victory with seven free throws in the final minute for the 74-63 victory.
Hatton led the Hoyas with 12 points while Butler and Fuller each contributed nine. In the paint, Hatton had a team-best eight rebounds while Fuller contributed seven along with as many assists. For the game, the Hoyas shot 45 percent and 30 percent from beyond the arc. GU forced 18 turnovers and committed just 16.
On Hatton's performance, Williams-Flournoy said, "This was a career game for Krystle and I think this is the type of year she is going to have. She worked extremely hard in the off-season and she should have a great year."
The Hoyas will travel to Brown University on Wednesday for a 7 p.m., contest against the Bears at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
