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WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University women's basketball team put together a solid team victory with a 71-52 win over the Seton Hall University Pirates (15-10, 7-7 BIG EAST) Friday afternoon McDonough Arena. With the victory, the Hoyas improved to 11-12 overall and 6-7 in BIG EAST Conference play as the squad enters the final five games of the regular season fighting for BIG EAST Tournament seeding.

"We started the game lackadaisical, but getting back to the fundamentals that we talked about on defense, we started to defend and I think that was the key in taking the lead," said Georgetown Head Coach James Howard. "We had some kids come in who gave us some big boosts. Tatiana Thompson and Morgan Smith came in the second quarter and helped us get that lead, and we hit our goals. When we hit our offensive and defensive goals we will usually win the game."

Junior guard Dionna White (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill) led the way with 21 points, scoring 19 of her points in the second half. She also added six rebounds and five assists. Senior forward Cynthia Petke (Yaounde, Cameroon/-/Chipola College) managed her 12th double-double of the season with 17 points and a team-best 14 rebounds. Senior guard Mikayla Venson (Arlington, Va./Yorktown/Virginia) rounded out those in double figures with 10 points. Senior DiDi Burton (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore City College) had a big afternoon at the point with a season-best nine assists for the Blue & Gray.

The Hoyas edged the Pirates on the boards, 40-39, and forced 20 turnovers while committing 13. Georgetown shot 42.7 percent (28-of-66) from the field, and allowed just 35.2 percent (19-of-54) shooting from Seton Hall.

The Pirates struck first off of the opening tip, but the Hoyas answered right back. Georgetown led for the final eight minutes of the first quarter, but could not pull away as Seton Hall kept it close. A pair of free throws from White and a spinning layup in the lane by Venson made it a six-point game, 12-6, midway through the stanza.

Late in the quarter Georgetown led 16-10, but three quick points by the Pirates made it 16-13 at the end of the first period.

Seton Hall cut it to one early in the second quarter, but a Venson jumper and trey sparked a 10-2 run to give the Blue & Gray some breathing room. The Pirates clawed their way back, but it was the dagger from freshman Tatiana Thompson (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven) sinking her second 3-pointer of the game to make it a 10-point game, 32-22, at the 2:21 mark.

The Hoyas would hold on and go into the break leading, 34-26.

The Pirates came out the half looking to get back into the game. Following a long scoring drought from both squads, a 5-0 run from Seton Hall made it 44-38 with 2:59 left in the period. White hit four free throws, but a jumper with two seconds left made it 47-42 at the end of the third quarter.

The Hoyas ruled the final stanza as the Blue & Gray was able to pull away. Leading 55-45 with 7:01 left in the game, White nailed a trey sparking a 9-0 run, which put the game out of reach for Seton Hall. From that point on, Georgetown controlled the pace and cruised to the 71-52 victory.

The Hoyas will be back in action on Sunday as the squad hosts the St. John's University Red Storm in a 2 p.m. matchup at McDonough Arena. The game will be broadcast live on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) with John Fanta and Hoya alum Monica McNutt calling the action. Live stats will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.

To watch BEDN, download the FOX Sports GO app for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire tablets and phones and select Windows devices to view BEDN games on-the-go. The app also supports Roku, Apple TV and Chromecast. The FOX Sports GO platform can also be accessed at FOXSportsGO.com on desktops. A cable provider's login is required to access FOXSportsGO on a desktop.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink on Sunday to show support of those battling breast cancer in GU's annual Play4Kay event. Additionally, Sunday will be Alumni Day as past Hoyas will be returning to the Hilltop to honor the 1993 Sweet 16 team as well as Ebiho Ahonkhai's (F'97) induction into Georgetown's Athletic Hall of Fame.