Georgetown Basketball Triumphs Over DePaul
“Today was about our defense. It was about our physicality. We were prepared,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley following Georgetown’s 63-56 victory over DePaul in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
The Hoyas showcased a strong defensive effort, which was crucial in securing their win. Vince Iwuchukwu led the team with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Jeremiah Williams matched his scoring output with another 17 points. Mack contributed significantly as well, adding 16 points to the total.
Georgetown’s shooting statistics reflected a challenging game, as they shot 39.3% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range. In contrast, DePaul struggled with a 34.5% shooting percentage overall, though they found some success from beyond the arc at 42.9%.
In terms of rebounding, Georgetown dominated the boards, outrebounding DePaul 42-30. This physical play was a focal point for Cooley, who emphasized the importance of defense in his post-game remarks.
“It has been a long year for us with respect to coming down the stretch and losing games by a possession, losing at the buzzer,” Cooley reflected, highlighting the challenges his team has faced throughout the season.
Georgetown’s victory improved their all-time record in the BIG EAST Tournament to 58-38. With this win, they now prepare to face Villanova in the quarterfinals, a team they have historically fared well against, holding a 6-2 record in tournament matchups.
Vince Iwuchukwu expressed gratitude for the support from his teammates and fans, stating, “My teammates believed in me, talked to me during halftime telling me to keep my head up, coaches told me to keep my head up. I went out there and just played my heart out.” He added, “Our fans showed out their last game of the whole entire first day, so it just meant a lot and it’s going to give us some energy going into tomorrow.”
Georgetown’s next challenge will be against Villanova on March 12, 2026, as they aim to continue their momentum in the tournament.
