Nov. 28, 2008
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - The Georgetown University women's basketball team remained undefeated with a 60-41 victory over the North Dakota State Bison (1-3) in the semifinals of the Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Classic Friday afternoon. GU started slow, but staged a big run in the second half to take the lead and get the win. With the victory, Georgetown improves to 5-0 on the season; the team will face Loyola Marymount in the championship on Saturday.
The Hoyas scored first but were quickly passed by the Bison who hit a pair of three's early in the period. Midway through the half, GU settled down and took advantage of a physical North Dakota squad getting four free throws from freshman Latia Magee (Jenks, Okla./Jenks).
Looking at a small deficit, GU managed to tie it at 12 and with solid defense managed to hold the Bison scoreless for seven minutes while building a gradual lead. As the seconds ticked away in the half, neither team was able to control the pace resulting in a 22-15 advantage for the Hoyas at the break.
For the first time this season, Georgetown was outrebounded in the first half with NDSU holding a 23-19 advantage. GU was led on the glass by Magee and classmate Amanda Reese (New Orleans, La./Episcopal School of Houston). Both players scored four points each and GU had nine different players register points in the half. Neither team shot exceptionally well with GU hitting 34.8 percent from the field while holding the Bison to just 17.2 percent.
The Bison came within striking distance to open the second but a huge block from Jaleesa Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Alton) and the ensuing three from Meredith Cox (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) on the other end of the court gave GU some momentum. Butler followed it up with a layup as Georgetown took a double-digit lead, 33-23, for the first time in the game.
The three from Cox ignited a 15-2 run over a four-minute span giving the Hoyas some breathing room in the second half. Despite a scoring drought, GU used free throws to increase the lead hitting 13 from the sin stripe in the final four minutes. At the buzzer, Georgetown had the 60-41 victory and a ticket to the championship game.
Shanice Fuller (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) led Georgetown with 12 points while Cox added nine, all coming off of trey's. Crawford and senior Krystle Hatton (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood East) led GU on the boards with six. The Hoyas had 15 turnovers but caused 22 from the Bison and shot 36 percent for the game.
The Hoyas will face the host Loyola Marymount Lions on Saturday in the championship game which is scheduled for 6 p.m., ET. Live stats and a webcast will be available at www.guhoyas.com.
