Hoyas Bully the Irish
Georgetown came into Saturday’s contest with Notre Dame after a successful, if underwhelming non-conference season. After starting the year with high hopes and a top ten ranking, three early losses pushed them off the national radar and out of the rankings. ND, however, was so hot they were smokin’, and riding a 12-game winning streak to a #17 ranking. But after a 66-48 thrashing of the Irish at the Verizon Center, JT3’s men are atop the early Big East standings and back in the national conversation.

Unlike recent games in this series, this game was never competitive, beginning with an 18-2 Hoya run from the opening tip all the way to the final horn. A sizeable ND fan presence sat silently while a boisterous Hoya crowd rocked the Phone Booth. Hoya guards Jeff Green and Jessie Sapp lit it up from outside, and the team combined to shoot 50% from the perimeter. Once the outside shot was established, it was time to hide the women and children and unleash big Roy Hibbert. The 7’-2”, 278-pound, lane-eating machine was only limited by his number of touches, going 8-9 from the field and leading all scorers with 18.

One of the biggest cheers of the afternoon was saved for a Trinity College alum, when newly-minted Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi was introduced to the crowd from her sideline seat and received an extended ovation, as well as a “We Are Georgetown” t-shirt. Pelosi received an honorary degree from GU’s School of Foreign Service in 2002.
-Jeff Beam

Missed Free Throws, Opportunities Doom GMU
The Patriots of George Mason are on their first losing streak in over a year after falling to Old Dominion, 65-63. In what was a generally wacky game, the Patriots led by 14 at one point in the first half. GMU’s horrific three-point shooting allow the Monarchs to crawl back into the game and take the lead with 6 minutes left to play. Despite being down by 8 with a minute to go, Mason rallied and had a chance to send the game to OT. With the Patriots down by 2, Folarin Campbell had the opportunity to save the game when he rebounded an intentionally missed free throw by teammate Tim Burns. His first attempt at the line missed poorly, however, and Mason was unable to grab the ensuing intentionally missed free throw. They fall to 6-7 on the season and remain winless in 3 games of CAA play.
-Matt Bourque