INDIANAPOLIS – The Georgetown University women's basketball team defeated the Butler University Bulldogs 60-55 on Wednesday evening in a BIG EAST Conference showdown at Hinkle Fieldhouse. With the win, the Hoyas improve to 12-2 on the season and 2-1 in league play, while the Bulldogs drop to 8-5 for the year and 0-2 in the conference. 

Interim Head Coach Darnell Haney

• "We told the team that we had to finish the job. In the first half, we got outside of our principles, but we made some adjustments and showed grit and perseverance to get the win. Kudos to Graceann Bennett tonight, she really took advantage of her opportunities inside and I'm so happy for her. Overall, this was a great team win and I'm so proud. To come home with three wins where we have been down and tested in every game shows what this team is about. We stuck to our game, stuck to our principles and got the W."

How it Happened

• Georgetown led 9-4 early fueled by a triple in transition from graduate student Alex Cowan, but Butler answered with an 11-0 run to take the lead.
• The Hoyas would battle back and cut it to six, 19-13, at the end of the first period thanks to layups from senior Kelsey Ransom and graduate student Graceann Bennett.
• An 8-2 Hoya run to open the second quarter tied the game at 21 as the stingy Hoya defense forced turnovers and Butler called timeout to regroup.
• Butler would hit from downtown soon after the timeout, and Georgetown would not find a way to regain the advantage.
• The Bulldogs closed out the half with an 11-2 run to lead 37-28 at the break.
• Bennett took over in the third, staging an 8-0 run on her own to pull Georgetown within one, 37-36.
• Butler would answer, but the Hoya defense stood strong and a late bucket from Bennett tied the game at 44 at the end of three.
• The tandem of Bennett and junior Brianna Scott dominated down low as a free throw from Scott put GU the lead 48-47 at the 7:07 mark.
• The Hoyas would band together and maintain a small advantage for the rest of the contest as the squad got stops and came up with plays down the stretch to get the 60-55 victory.

Of Note

• Bennett led the way for the Hoyas with a career-best 20 points and eight rebounds to her credit.
• Ransom managed 13 points and three assists, while Scott tallied 11 points and three blocks in the win.
• The Hoyas shot 46.9% (23-49) from the field, and the Blue & Gray allowed 37.5% (21-56) shooting by the Bulldogs.
• GU was outrebounded by Butler 35-27, and Georgetown forced 13 Bulldog turnovers on five steals.
• Rachel Kent led Butler with 22 points, and Caroline Strande had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs. 

Up Next

• Georgetown will return to The District this weekend as the squad hosts No. 12/15 UConn on Sunday in a BIG EAST matchup at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southeast Washington, D.C.
• Fans can tune in live on SNY with Allen Bestwick and Meghan Culmo calling the action and Chelsea Sherrod on the sideline.
• Live stats will be available at GUHoyas.com.
• Tickets are still available for the matchup. Visit GUHoyas.com/WBBTickets to purchase today.