HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel will spend the upcoming months covering several Georgetown basketball home games, with (hopefully) a very special reward coming in March. He was in attendance Saturday afternoon at Capital 1 Arena and prepared this photo essay about the Hoyas’ matchup against St. Francis. If you would like to check out his prior coverage then please go to:
Part 1: https://hoopshd.com/2024/11/09/hanging-with-the-hoyas-part-1-4
Part 2: https://hoopshd.com/2024/11/16/hanging-with-the-hoyas-part-2-5
Another solid pregame meal: chicken and sausage biscuits with a fruit cup from Chick-fil-A. Sadly, a Saturday afternoon before Thanksgiving + a non-power conference opponent = a near-empty arena. Let’s tip it off with Georgetown as a rare 20.5-point favorite:
The Hoyas got off to a hot start with a 19-4 lead in the 1st 6 minutes due in large part to wing Micah Peavy. He had averaged less than 10 PPG during his past 3 games but came out strong with a runner in the lane, a pair of corner threes, a jumper, and a dunk: after the 1st 9 minutes his 12 PTS matched the total of the entire St. Francis team! The Red Flash were missing a pair of guards in Ace Talbert/Jeremy Clayville, so it was up to another pair of guards to pick up the slack. Riley Parker made a pair of threes from the top of the key and a turnaround jumper to beat the shot clock, while Bobby Rosenberger also made a pair of threes and a couple of layups to give the Red Flash a 36-33 lead entering the final minute of the opening stanza. However, Georgetown guard Jayden Epps came through in the clutch with a 4-PT play (after missing each of 1st 5 attempts from behind the arc) as Georgetown was able to head into halftime up 37-36.
In what must be 1 of the saddest dates ever, this cute couple had to sit by themselves next to the band and watch this ugly game featuring a combined 29 turnovers:
It became a battle of attrition among the big men in the 2nd half. Hoya FR Thomas Sorber was hit in the head with about 11 minutes left and helped off the floor into the locker room (but returned a few minutes later):
St. Francis F Valentino Pinedo did most of his damage around the rim with a game-high 11 REB before hurting his right ankle and being helped off the floor into the locker room (he did not return):
The Red Flash were able to take a late 57-56 lead with under 9 minutes to go, but Epps/Peavy took over from there by knocking down shots from behind the arc (each finishing with 4 3PM) as the Hoyas finished the game on a 26-8 run to win by a comfortable score of 82-65.
In the postgame press conference, I asked St. Francis coach Rob Krimmel for an update on Pinedo. He said that his JR F from Spain had a reaction to the injury out of fear, but that they only put his foot in a boot for precautionary reasons:
I mentioned to Georgetown coach Ed Cooley that rather than just being a scorer/rebounder it appeared that Sorber might be turning into a great all-around player (3 STL/4 BLK). He stated that his FR F from Trenton has an “it” factor due to his energy/attitude/approach that will allow them to continue to build Georgetown basketball. He confirmed that Sorber’s health status was probably 80% today…but that Sorber is such a great scorer that Cooley would have had 30 AST today if he had played with Sorber:
That is a wrap for now: have a Happy Thanksgiving and check back next weekend when Albany comes to DC!