DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Georgetown
DePaul Drops BIG EAST Opener to Georgetown
12/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score: Georgetown 70, DePaul 58 
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Shooting woes and a lack of defensive communication put a damper on DePaul's BIG EAST Conference opener Wednesday night at Allstate Arena.
Despite Billy Garrett Jr.'s 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, the Blue Demons dropped a 70-58 decision to Georgetown.
DePaul (6-7, 0-1) converted just 13 of 24 free throws and went 3-for-9 from three-point range while the Hoyas were 10-of-23 from distance. That 21-point difference from behind the arc was too much to overcome.
"This is not the way you want to start the BIG EAST season," said DePaul coach Dave Leitao. "The end of the first half and beginning of the second half (Georgetown outscored the Blue Demons 15-2) is when they started executing and we were playing uphill after that.
"We didn't talk a lot and as a result, the defensive positioning wasn't great. The best way to defend the three-pointer is to communicate and then step up to it. We were a step or two behind on defense.
"Billy and Myke (Henry) have to play with great confidence and rhythm. Neither brought their `A' game, and that showed at the free-throw line."
Georgetown opened the second half on an 8-0 run in extending a five-point halftime advantage to 40-27. Once again, it was Garrett that snapped a scoreless span with a driving layup. Next possession, Garrett again penetrated the paint and dished to a wide-open Aaron Simpson for a corner three.
Back came the Hoyas with seven unanswered points and a 47-32 lead---largest of the game. Erten Gazi's teardrop runner was the first response and Rashaun Stimage followed with a three-point play.
Simpson's three-pointer cut the deficit to 50-41, and after a pair of Hoyas free throws, Tommy Hamilton IV's jumper made it 52-43. It was back to a 10-point margin when Henry hit a free throw with just under eight minutes to go. Cain's foul shot reduced the Hoyas' advantage to 55-47.
Georgetown (8-5, 1-0) responded with an 8-3 surge that put the game away.
"We weren't consistent and didn't play with enough energy on offense and defense," Garrett said. "We didn't run plays with enough pace, and when we did have some success, we kind of stopped what we were doing.
"Not communicating on defense gave Georgetown three-point opportunities. Overall, we didn't defend well. On offense, I did notice our scoring droughts and I tried to be aggressive and get some easy baskets."
Georgetown's taller lineup appeared to disrupt the Blue Demon attack.
"Their length bothered us some," Leitao said. "We didn't do a good job moving their length around. When we're good, everybody is moving the ball. We saw their length and got back on our heels. We didn't look sharp at any point and didn't play with enough flow on offense.
"I didn't think Billy played with urgency tonight. When he attacked the rim, he was a little too loose with the ball. Towards the end of the game, he played better and made sharper decisions. I have every confidence he'll make the necessary corrections."
Both teams got off to a sluggish start, combining to miss their first seven shots. Four minutes into the game, Stimage broke into the scoring column with a free throw. Following D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera's first basket for Georgetown, Stimage scored down low on a nice feed from Gazi.
The Hoyas led by three in the middle of the first half when Hamilton drilled a three-pointer and Gazi followed up with a breakaway dunk for a 12-10 DePaul lead at the second media timeout. The Blue Demon defense limited the visiting team to just 4-of-15 shooting over the first 10 minutes.
L.J. Peak sparked a 7-0 Hoyas burst with a three-pointer and pair of free throws to put his team in front 17-12. DePaul made just five of its first 16 shots.
Garrett went on a personal run, outscoring Georgetown 6-1 in tying the game 18-18. The Hoyas went up 25-20 on Smith-Rivera's three when Hamilton slammed one home. Smith-Rivera finished with 15 points.
Hamilton's basket and three in a row from Garrett brought DePaul even at 25-25. That's when Georgetown went on a 7-0 run. Garrett's pair of foul shots left the home team trailing 32-27 at halftime. Garrett had 13 points in the first 20 minutes.
Henry and Eli Cain had off nights, combining to shoot 1-for-11 from the floor.
"I believe in Eli and Myke," Leitao said. "They succeed when there's more flow to the offense. Eli has played very well at times and will one day be a terrific player. There will be times like tonight when he plays like a young guy."
DePaul will look to even its BIG EAST record on Saturday with a 10 a.m. game at Seton Hall.
POSTGAME NOTES: Billy Garrett Jr. (268 assists) passed Joe Ponsetto (1974-78, 264 assists) for 23rd place on the all-time assists list when he recorded his second assist midway through the first half... The men's basketball program is 1,425-949 (.600) all-time dating back to the 1923-24 season... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 689 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are now 334-169 (.664) all-time at Allstate Arena.
