Your UNDEFEATED Georgetown Hoyas defeated the visiting Clemson Tigers 79-74 today to improve to 4-0 on the season. KJ Lewis dominated with 26 points, 5 steals and a handful of rebounds. Malik Mack dropped in 16 points while dishing out 7 assists. Caleb Williams had 13, while both he and DeShawn Harris-Smith each grabbed a half-dozen rebounds. Vince Iwuchukwu chipped in with 14 off the bench, including a floater to end the game. They were truly terrible hosts and it was phenomenal to watch.
With multiple strong preseason performances and a 3-0 start outside the conference, the Georgetown faithful were looking for a sign. Both teams were in the votes received section of the latest weekly polls, both teams were undefeated and the Tigers were ranked 20 in the KenPom ratings. After beating Maryland in College Park last week, the Hoyas wanted to prove a point in front of their home crowd and give the students a reason to keep making the trek.
Caleb Williams swung the pendulum on the shooting with an early three. The Hoyas got three straight stops on defense, including twice from Julius Halaifonua, whose name the announcing team slaughtered in spectacular fashion. KJ Lewis was able to get some FTs and then also found Halaifonua who got a bucket through contact. More than two and a half minutes passed before Clemson got on the board.
A risky baseline drive into Clemson’s Godfrey by Isaiah Abraham drew a whistle, which gave Tiger his second rushing foul. Georgetown led 8-6 at the first media break, although Clemson tied the score almost immediately when play resumed. It looked like Lewis was going to treat the crowd to a dunk, but it was rudely (albeit cleanly) blocked. With the teams still separated by just one basket, the Hoyas were on the wrong end of a 7-0 series until Malik Mack knocked down a pair to level things up again.
Sloppy quick possession on both ends ensued until the Tigers hit a three, Georgetown reset their offense and Caleb Williams answered with a triple of his own. Lewis hit another through double coverage as the shot clock expired, Clemson fired back and continued to dominate the generally chaotic style of play.
If Georgetown could convert their forced turnovers or grab a few more rebounds — preferably both — their prospects would improve dramatically. Clemson’s first three-basket advantage of the game followed, though the details were a bit hazy as Peacock opted to show the view from a camera high in the rafters. Georgetown trailed the U8s 27-22.
Mack shut down the offense while Lewis continued to try to create; the Hoyas pulled back within a pair before the Tigers got another triple. Lewis answered from behind the arc. Vince Iwuchukwu committed two fouls (for three total from the line), as Clemson scored one basket on probably 10 combined possessions, and the Tigers led 34-32 with 2:00 left in the first half.
A fortuitous out-of-bounds possession gave the Hoyas back with 28.1 on the clock. Lewis set it up at the buzzer, but it bounced in and out. Georgetown went into the break up 36-33.
Two baskets from Iwuchukwu, free throws from Lewis and a triple from C. Williams were what the Hoyas needed to tie the score at 42-42 at the 5:45 mark after the break. A defensive rotation error seemed to cost the Hoyas money, but a powerful block from Abraham put an end to that.
Iwuchukwu and Halaifonua both picked up their fourth fouls within seconds of each other, while Clemson scored a pair of buckets. A steal led to a one-handed breakaway for Lewis, doing what had been teased in the first half.
This was followed by a long two from Abraham, leaving the teams locked, 48-48. A triple by Mack gave Georgetown the lead for the first time since early in the first half.
Halaifonua hit a foul after foul seconds later, temporarily forcing the Hoyas into an unorthodox lineup with DeShawn Harris-Smith seemingly playing center. (Editor’s history lesson: In 2014, we won a game in Hinkle where John Caprio had to play Center, so things could have been stranger.) A basket on one possession and free throws on the next, and Lewis put Georgetown ahead 55-50 with just over 12 minutes to play.
Mack finished through contact, and while he missed the ensuing free throw, Iwuchukwu was fouled on his way to the rebound and his shot extended the Hoyas’ advantage to 58-51. C. Williams expanded it with two more. Meanwhile, Clemson held on for several minutes without a field goal before finally breaking through.
A pair of foul shots from Mack briefly put the Hoyas ahead by 10; Clemson responded quickly and Georgetown took a 64-56 lead until the under-8 commercial break. An uncharacteristic mistake by Mack in fouling a three-point shooter opened the door for Clemson as they converted all three and then scored four more unanswered. The Hoyas’ lead had shrunk to 66-63.
Quick hands from Lewis forced a steal, after which he went onto the court himself for a well-calculated basket. A Clemson triple prevented the real momentum swing. This one headed the U4 in with Georgetown ahead 68-66 and waited for a pair of free throws from DHS (he made both).
Mack found Iwuchukwu who walked the baseline and waited ABOVE THE RIM for the hit.
Another steal from Lewis allowed him to drive and finish, sinking the foul shot. What had seemed and felt dangerously close and far too familiar just seconds earlier miraculously became a 75-68 lead. Lewis got the nod on the next possession and added two more for the Hoyas, but the Tigers clawed their way back with a quick three-pointer. 77-71 Georgetown, with 1:20 left.
C. Williams hit iron, Clemson hit another three, and Ed Cooley signaled a timeout with his team leading by three. Mack dribbled it through most of the shot clock and finally found Iwuchukwu in the high paint who nailed a clean floater, which would be the final bucket for a sweet, sweet victory.
KJ Lewis was huge in multiple vectors, especially his disruptive steals. Mack facilitated well. Iwuchukwu was in double figures off the bench and, more impressively, made no mistake despite being called for his fourth in the second half. If he hadn’t been on the floor, he wouldn’t have been in a position to close out the game (and then celebrate with the student section, as he should).
The program has been waiting for this. That also applies to the fans. Hoyas win.
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