Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Coming into tonight’s match-up against the Friars, the Hoyas seemed confident that the team they faced to open Big East play was totally different then the one they face tonight. However, fatigue and another game without McClung and Yurtseven, the Hoyas just weren’t deep enough when it mattered.
One of the big problems tonight was the inability to finish the game when they needed to. They went a little over 13 minutes without a field goal and let Providence pull away in the last three minutes during the drought.
Jahvon Blair had 20 points for the Hoyas (15-11, 5-8). Terrell Allen added 16 points and Jamorko Pickett had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Providence got another healthy dose of scoring in the second half from Alpha Diallo, who didn’t have much going in the first half of the game when the Friars started 1 for 14 from the field. His 18 points and 8 rebounds paced the way for the Friars after the Hoyas lead 34-30 at the half.
Another big concern for the Hoyas is that Mc Clung left the game after complaining about pain in the same area that has kept him sidelined the past three games and perhaps may have him out the rest of the season.
After the game Ewing commented on McClung and the absence of Wahab scoring when he needed it most.
“Mac came and out and he said it felt sore again, so he took himself out of the game. We will wait to see what the doctors tell us and determine whats best. We have to focus on these next 5 games. There is plenty of basketball remaining, said Ewing.
So these next five games brings up our question. Can the Hoyas win at least four of these five games after the loss tonight? They probably would have only needed three, as quite a few bracketologists had them seeded as one of the last four teams in the tournament. After tonight, they may be one of the last teams out.
The trip to DePaul will be huge for the Hoyas on Saturday. This is a must win game for them, otherwise it will require at least two big victories in the Big East Tournament or outright winning it all, which is a very low percentage at this point.
