Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
If you thought 2023 was going to kick off on a good note for the Hoyas, well the Butler Bulldogs had a different idea for the team that had not won a Big East game in their last 23 games. That number tonight became 24.
Butler took the lead with 7:00 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 38-30 at halftime, with Jayden Taylor leading the way with 11 points.
Butler extended its lead to 45-30 during the second half, fueled by a 14-3 scoring run. Taylor scored a team-high 13 points in the second half as their team closed out the win.
“We have to just keep on working at it and keep on watching tape. We as coaches have to do a better job of giving them a better game plan to execute to take away these shots and paint points.” – Head Coach Patrick Ewing said after the game.
How many more games can Ewing continue to offer excuses for his team? The offense at times tonight looked as if they had no clue what Ewing was saying from the sidelines. On several occasions, the Butler players were halfway down the court on a fast break off a Hoyas miss before they could do anything to stop them.
Akok Akok led the Hoyas (5-10, 0-4) in scoring, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Murray added 11 points and four assists for Georgetown. Bryson Mozone also put up 10 points.
Late in the second half Akok could be seen holding his back again but finished the game after taking a seat on the bench. Akok had been dealing with back strain issue before tonight and Ewing said they will take a look at him before the game against Villanova on Wednesday night.
Prior to the game tonight, Butler had not won a Big East game this season and came off a 20-point loss, 72-52 loss to Providence on Thursday night.
Georgetown has quite a few answers before the game on Wednesday. Can they find a consistent scorer and also find a way to keep Villanova from hitting shots from deep and also find a way to hi some three pointers of their own? Another test for Ewing’s squad who has yet to show us any kind of chemistry that makes us think they will win a conference game this season.
