Feb. 11, 2009
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Washington, D.C. - Senior Karee Houlette (Houston, Texas/Cypress Springs) scored 19 points to lead the Georgetown University Hoyas over the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, 69-61, Wednesday evening at McDonough Arena. Sophomore Monica McNutt (Suitland, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) also finished in double figures with 12 points as Georgetown beat Cincinnati for the first time since the series started in 2006. Cincinnati had won the previous five meetings, the Hoyas also snapped a four-game skid with the victory.
"We needed this win," said Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "It really helps our confidence going into the last few games of the season. We had lost so many close ones that we needed to get one of them. I was really pleased with our effort tonight."
In the first half, the Hoyas took an 8-6 lead at the 16:56 mark off of a three point shot by Houlette. They then maintained that lead the entire half, extending it to a game high 11 points at 3:41. Shanice Fuller (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) capped off a 12-6 Georgetown run with a shot from beyond the arc to make the score 37-26. GU led, 37-29, at the half
Seven three's in the first half gave the Hoyas a small lead as both squads shot well from the field. The Hoya defense forced 10 Bearcat turnovers and GU out-rebounded Georgetown, 16-13.
GU began the second half leading by eight, 37-29. The squad maintained the lead until Cincinnati tied the game at 46 with 12:20 remaining. The two teams went back and forth until Georgetown took the lead for good, 59-56, on a three-point shot by Rubylee Wright (Latta, S.C./Latta). The Hoyas finished out the game on an 8-2 run, aided by six foul shots from Houlette, to extend the lead to eight.
The game took a dramatic turn with 41 seconds left in the second half. With Georgetown leading, 63-59, Angel Morgan was called for a charge. In the ensuing arguments, Cincinnati coach J. Kelly was ejected after being called for two technical fouls and Morgan was also given a technical along with the offensive foul. Houlette was chosen to shoot all six foul shots, making five, and allowing Georgetown to take a 68-59 lead.
The Hoyas scored a season high 11 three pointers in the game, shooting 40.7% (11-of-27) from beyond the arc. They also shot 43.6% (24-of-55) from the field and 66.7% (10-of-15) from the charity stripe. In contrast, the Bearcats did not attempt any shots from the free throw line. Georgetown out-rebounded Cincinnati, 31-30, and forced 18 Bearcat turnovers.
Georgetown next plays at Providence on Saturday. Tip off is at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on MASN tape delayed at 11 p.m.
