Game Recap: Georgetown 61, Colgate 55

The Georgetown Hoyas' defense was too much for the Colgate Red Raiders nation-leading outside shooting as the Hoyas defended their home court by defeating Colgate 61-55. Georgetown, who currently boasts one of the nation's top statistical defenses, held Colgate to 19 percent shooting in the first half and didn't give up its first points until nearly ten minutes into the game. The Red Raiders, who, coming into the game, led the nation in both 3-point field goal percentage and 3-pointers made per game, cut the lead close in the final minutes but couldn't find its range and struggled with the Hoyas' athleticism and size.

Both teams got off to a sloppy start and Georgetown is making a habit of getting off to a slow start. Against teams like Lipscomb and Colgate, this doesn't present too big of a problem but with Kansas looming, JTIII has to find a way for the team to play an efficient 40-minute game. Despite holding Colgate scoreless for nearly ten minutes, the Hoyas only led by 12 as Markel Starks blew two open fast-break layups and Joshua Smith missed a few bunnies down low. Instead of taking advantage of its size and skill, the Hoyas allowed Colgate to stay in the game by settling for jumpers instead of attacking the rim. The style of play failed miserably and Hoyas were woeful from behind the arc, shooting 1-of-15 for 6.7 percent. Against a noticeably inferior team like Colgate, there is no reason for Georgetown to settle for jumpers when they can work their offense to get layups and high-percentage looks.

Colgate had trouble hitting from deep, shooting just 5-of-24 from three. Instead of continuing to force the issue in the second half, the Red Raiders adjusted and began to get in the paint and create. Thanks to the switch, the Red Raiders made the game interesting and played the Hoyas even in the second half. Georgetown opened the second half on a 13-6 run to push the lead to 13 but Colgate cut the lead to five with 2:32 left in the game after Murphy Burnatowski was fouled on a 3-pointer and hit all three free throws. The Raiders eventually cut it to four, but that's as close as they would get as Georgetown went 8-of-10 from the stripe down the stretch to win their fifth straight game.

Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera each had a tough game. Starks was awful in the first half, playing out of sync and scored just two points. He rebounded decently in the second half, scoring 10 points to finish with 12 to go along with five assists. DSR, who has been near unstoppable, had just four points and seven rebounds. Picking up the slack was Mikael Hopkins, Joshua Smith, and Nate Lubick--uncoincidentally, all big men. Hopkins scored nine points and snatched eight boards and continues to get better with each game. Smith scored 14 points and at times looked dominant against the Colgate frontcourt. Lubick played his best game of the season and finished with a season-high 12 points.

Austin Tillotson scored a game-high 21 points for Colgate.

The Hoyas have a ten day break for finals before playing Elon on Tuesday, December 17 in D.C.