Georgetown Basketball Advances in BIG EAST Tournament
“Today was about our defense. It was about our physicality. We were prepared,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley after Georgetown basketball’s 63-56 victory over DePaul in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
Georgetown’s win was marked by strong performances from Vince Iwuchukwu and Jeremiah Williams, both scoring 17 points. Iwuchukwu also contributed 14 rebounds, showcasing his dominance on the boards as Georgetown outrebounded DePaul 42-30.
Mack added 16 points to the Hoyas’ total, while the team shot 39.3% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range. In contrast, DePaul managed a field goal percentage of 34.5% and found some success from beyond the arc, shooting 42.9%.
“My teammates believed in me, talked to me during halftime telling me to keep my head up, coaches told me to keep my head up. I went out there and just played my heart out,” Iwuchukwu reflected on his performance.
Cooley acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the season, stating, “It has been a long year for us with respect to coming down the stretch and losing games by a possession, losing at the buzzer.” This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Hoyas, improving their record to 15-17.
Georgetown’s historical rivalry with Villanova adds an extra layer of significance to their upcoming matchup. The Hoyas have a 6-2 all-time record against the Wildcats in the BIG EAST Tournament, with their last victory against them in 2021.
As the team prepares for their quarterfinal game against Villanova on March 12, Iwuchukwu expressed gratitude for the support from fans, saying, “Our fans showed out their last game of the whole entire first day, so it just meant a lot and it’s going to give us some energy going into tomorrow.”
Georgetown’s performance against DePaul not only secures their place in the tournament but also sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Villanova, a team they have faced numerous times in the past.
Details remain unconfirmed as the team looks to build on this momentum in the next round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
