Georgetown Shatters Oklahoma State’s Undefeated Record, 81-74

In the face of a turmoil-ridden week which Georgetown saw two key contributors, James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc, enter the NCAA transfer portal, the Hoyas (5-3, Big East) managed a gutsy road win over Oklahoma State (7-1, Big 12), 81-74, on Wednesday evening. Mac McClung paved the way for Georgetown, scoring 33 points on 12-21 shooting, which included a career-high four three-pointers made, and grabbing seven rebounds. Omer Yurtseven, despite a slow first half, added 19 points and nine rebounds. Terrell Allen, starting in Akinjo’s place, contributed 15 points and five assists. Lindy Waters Jr. and Cameron McGriff paced the Cowboys, combining to score 49 points on the night.

Both teams came flying out of the gates offensively. McClung got going early, scoring seven points prior to the game’s first media timeout. Points were the order of the first six minutes, which were capped by McClung and McGriff exchanging threes to knot the game at 15 apiece with 13:52 remaining. An 11-2 Georgetown run in the ensuing phase of play allowed the Hoyas to take a nine-point lead when Galen Alexander, who received a restraining order due to accusations of harassment and burglary in late November, buried a three-pointer. The Hoyas maintained this steady lead for the remainder of half, with McClung and Yurtseven serving as the focal points. Defensively, the Hoyas were stout in the first stanza, allowing the Cowboys to shoot just 37 percent from the field and forcing nine turnovers.

McClung and Yurtseven picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half as the pair scored all of Georgetown’s opening 14 points. For as hot as the Georgetown duo was, though, Oklahoma State was even hotter. An 8-0 run midway through the half allowed the Cowboys to enjoy a 53-48 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. Minutes later, McClung drilled three consecutive three-point shots before Waters countered with a three of his own. Yurtseven answered immediately after, restoring a six-point Georgetown lead with 7:16 left to play. Allen also hit a clutch three-pointer in the half, which was immediately followed by a turnover from Waters, forcing an Oklahoma State timeout and swinging the momentum in the direction of the visitors.

The Cowboys would cut the deficit to as few as four points on two separate occasions, the latest coming with 1:28 remaining when McGriff hit a pair of free throws. On the Hoyas’ next possession McClung finished a layup through contact and converted the and-one chance from the line, making it a three-possession game with just over a minute to play. A wild final minute saw Allen and McGriff exchange late three-pointers, but Allen sank all four of his free throws in the game’s dying moments to seal Georgetown’s win.

The win comes at a critical time for the Hoyas, who are seemingly in limbo following this week’s news regarding a series of allegations surrounding Alexander, Myron Gardner, and the recently-departed LeBlanc. Akinjo was not named in any of the lawsuits or allegations, and entered the transfer portal for personal reasons. Prior to Wednesday night’s game, Patrick Ewing released a statement reading “While I can’t comment on individual students, please know that we take conduct issues very seriously and that our players are subject to the same disciplinary policies and procedures contained in the Code of Conduct that apply to any undergraduate or graduate student. I expect the highest standard of conduct of my players and they are given no special treatment when it comes to their behavior and discipline. This is a fair and equitable process for all students.”

The Hoyas will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday night when they travel to SMU (8-0, American). That game tips off at 9:30pm ET and will be broadcast on ESPNU.