Georgetown struggled at the start of the season as the team supported a 2-4 record through the first six games.
Lately, the Hoyas have looked like they are starting to find their footing, and it showed in the game against UNC Greensboro, which wrapped up nonconference play on Thursday night.
The Hoyas displayed tough defense, and solid offense to roll past the Spartans 74-58 to extend their winning streak to six games. Junior guard L.J. Peak, who recorded a double-double in the win over Syracuse, finished with 16 points (3-7 FG), four rebounds and six assists.
“L.J. is playing at a really high level right now,” Georgetown’s head coach John Thompson III said. “He is playing well at both ends of the court.”
Sophomore Jessie Govan had a big game offensively and defensively. Govan registered 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
After Spartan’s Demetrius Troy nailed a jumper to tie the game at 12 in the first half, the Hoyas went on a 19-2 run led Peak and Rodney Pryor, who finished with 12 points. Georgetown took a 40-26 at halftime.
The Hoyas were missing shots, and UNC Greensboro capitalized on that by cutting the deficit down to nine in the opening minutes of the second half.
“Poor offensive decisions on our part,” Thompson III said. “We got careless and started forcing things.”
Georgetown’s forward Marcus Derrickson hit a three pointer with 17:08 left in the game to spark a 12-3 run. Derrickson registered a season-high 15 points after scoring two points in the first half.
Derrickson credited his patient and relaxed approach to his success against UNC Greensboro.
“I wasn’t letting the game come to me and I was forcing shots,” Derrickson said about past games. “This game I was more relax and calm down.”
The Hoyas shot the ball well, going 50.9 percent from the floor and 52.9 percent from behind the arc. Georgetown’s defense held UNC Greensboro to score under 60 points despite averaging 75 points per game. The Spartan’s also shot 30.6 percent from the floor and 21 percent from the three point line.
“If we were going to have a chance, we would have to shoot really well especially behind the line,” Spartans Head Coach Wes Miller said. “I thought we missed a couple we should have made and missed some pitch out for open shots.”
Center R.J. White led the way for the Spartans with 14 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks. UNC Greensboro did have a good night on the boards, outrebounding the Hoyas, 44-39.
“We were pretty aggressive going to the boards and that’s kind of who we are,” Miller said. “I thought our quickness helped us out there.”
Georgetown is set to kick off Big East play on the road against Marquette on Dec. 28. The Hoyas will come back to the Verizon Center and face Xavier on Dec. 31.
Inside The Locker Room 