Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. - The Georgetown University women's basketball team (2-2) used a big second half to down the Florida International University Panthers (0-3), 66-53, in Miami, Fla., on Tuesday at FIU Arena. The teams were tied at halftime, but GU outscored the Panthers 42-29 in the second half to pick up the victory.

In her home state, senior guard Faith Woodard (Brandon, Fla./Freedom) led the way with 20 points and seven rebounds as well as four blocks. Sophomore guard Dionna White (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill) was the other Hoya in double figures tallying 15 points and six steals. Junior forward Cynthia Petke (Yaounde, Cameroon/- [Chipola College]) tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven. She also scored eight points.

The Hoyas pulled down 45 boards and shot 39.7 percent (27-of-68) from the field, while the Panthers shot 39.2 percent (20-for-51) from the field and managed 31 rebounds. The difference came as Georgetown forced 23 turnovers on 17 steals with 20 points off of turnovers.

Woodard started hot in front of her hometown crowd scoring the first four points of the game as well as another bucket in transition with contact to make it 12-7 midway through the quarter. The defense made the difference as the Hoyas forced turnovers and got out on the break.

A late spurt from the Panthers cut the lead to three, 16-13, but in the closing seconds of the quarter, an Adomako free throw and a jumper from Petke made it 19-13.

The Panthers opened the second with back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 19. The Hoyas had looks, but couldn't turn them into baskets. Despite the scoring drought, the defense stayed tough and held FIU on the other end.

A trey from senior guard Mykia Jones (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook) gave the Blue & Gray the lead back, but neither team could find the bottom of the net in the quarter.

In the final two minutes, the Panthers tied it at 22 and again at 24. Georgetown would have chances, but couldn't convert as the teams went into the break tied at 24.

FIU struck first in the third to take a small lead, 29-26. A 3-pointer by White tied the score back at 29, and sparked a 9-0 run forcing a Panther timeout.

Following the break, Georgetown continued to battle and held FIU scoreless for four minutes total building a 10-point lead on an 11-0 run. It was the defense putting in work, and layups on the other end as GU had four steals in the run.

The Hoyas continued to find the holes and a floater at the buzzer from White made it 46-35 at the end of the third.

Georgetown kept up the intensity in the fourth as the stifling defense forced turnovers, and the squad built the lead on offense. As the minutes ticked by, the Blue & Gray cruised to the 66-53 victory.

The contest marked GU's third away game of a seven-game road swing.

The Hoyas will have just one day off before tipping off in the San Juan Shootout held in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Thursday. The squad will open the tournament with Wright State at 11 a.m. Live stats and a broadcast will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.