Dec. 21, 2008
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University women's basketball team defeated American University Sunday at Bender Arena in a crosstown rivalry. The Hoyas won 69-54 which improves them to 9-2 on the season and drops the Eagles to 7-4 for the year. Georgetown used a fast pace and solid rebounding to get the victory and go into the holiday break on a high note.
Adria Crawford (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) started strong in the paint for the Hoyas scoring GU's first four points. After a quick start, both teams picked up the pace by pressing which resulted in a number of fast-break points on both ends of the floor. After a three from Rubylee Wright (Latta, S.C./Latta), Morgan Williams (Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson) broke the press and laid it in on the left side to tie it at 11 at 13:07.
With the Eagles leading 17-15 after a number of lead changes, the Hoyas were sparked by a spinning layup from Shanice Fuller (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) and a Monica McNutt (Suitland, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) trey to once again move ahead. The scrappy GU defense also forced a pair of turnovers and five missed shots on the other end of the floor.
With seven minutes remaining, AU regained the lead thanks to a 6-0 run but the Hoyas came rolling back with free throw from Fuller and another fast break layup by Krystle Hatton (St. Louis, Mo/Hazelwood East) to tie it at 23. A 7-2 run finished off the half for the Hoyas started by a Karee Houlette (Houston, Texas/Cypress Springs) three making it 30-26 at the break.
GU put together a balanced attack in the first with 10 different players scoring. Hatton led the Hoyas with six and Crawford contributed four rebounds. Georgetown out-rebounded American 27-18 and forced 11 turnovers in the half.
AU opened the second half with a 7-2 run before McNutt got hot hitting 11 straight points including a pair of three's and a trio of free throws after a late foul beyond the arc to put the Hoyas up 43-33.
Georgetown managed to hold on to the lead as the squad looked to the paint and fought for offensive rebounds to score. It was Jaleesa Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Alton) who came in and took over down low starting with a textbook backdoor layup. The junior reserve then fought for every rebound added two more put backs before saving a loose ball and finding Houlette waiting on the three point line for the assist and giving GU the 56-45 advantage with seven minutes remaining.
As the minutes ticked away, Georgetown held on and the Eagles were forced to foul. Butler went 3-4 at the line in the final seconds to help GU to a 69-54 victory.
McNutt led the Hoyas with 16 points while Houlette and Butler each added 11. Crawford and Butler each pulled down a squad-best 11 rebounds, 10 of Crawford's were on the offensive end. Georgetown out-rebounded American 50-33, shot 35.8 percent from the field and hit 77.8 percent from the line.
The Hoyas will have a break for the holidays before returning to McDonough Arena to take on Appalachian State on December 28 at 3 p.m. Live stats and a video feed will be available on www.GUHoyas.com.
