Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | Seniors End on a High Note

It was a fitting finale to what has been a remarkable journey for the seven seniors of the No. 15 Georgetown women’s basketball team (21-6, 10-4 Big East). On an occasion when only a win would have done justice to the careers of the most successful class in Hoya history, Georgetown ran by Providence (13-14, 5-9 Big East) for a 66-39 Senior Day victory last Saturday afternoon.

The win was another big step toward clinching a top-four Big East finish and a much-coveted double-bye in the conference tournament, but for senior forward Tia Magee and company, the day held additional significance. While Georgetown will play once more at McDonough Arena — next Monday versus St. John’s — the members of the class of 2012 were honored before tipoff in a ceremony symbolic of the end to their collegiate hoops careers.

“Today was exciting, but at the same time it was really emotional,” Magee said. “I was the one in the back crying, wiping my face before we came out to warm-ups that last time. Everyone was excited and that showed in the way we played today.”

After entering a relatively unknown program with only one prior NCAA tournament appearance and little national attention, the members of the senior class will end their careers having won 20 games in each of their four years. The group has spent over 40 weeks in the national rankings and is approaching its third consecutive trip to the Big Dance.

The matchup against Providence began inauspiciously, though, with ineffective offense on both ends as the Hoyas and Friars — who rank 15th and 16th in the Big East with respect to field goal percentage — lived up to their reputations for poor shooting in the first half. The Blue and Gray managed just nine made field goals on 28 percent shooting throughout the opening period, but they were outdone by the visitors’ abysmal 5-of-27 performance.

The score remained close throughout the half as Providence hung with the favored hosts until standout junior guard Sugar Rodgers’ three-pointer with 7:45 remaining gave Georgetown a 19-16 lead that they would never relinquish. The Hoyas finished the first half with a 9-3 run and headed to the locker room with a 25-19 advantage, thanks in large part to nine points from Magee and seven from Rodgers.

The game’s second installment, however, followed a different plot. The Blue and Gray finally snapped their shooting slump, exploding for 41 points on 59 percent shooting after the break. Georgetown used a 10-0 run at the beginning of the half to race to a 35-19 lead. The Friars were overmatched in the remainder of the contest, as the Hoyas’ lead swelled to as many as 30 points.

“It was good to come out and play like the way we can play today,” Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. “It was nice to see us aggressive and not be in such a fight. We played relaxed and were able to take a few chances here and there.”

Rodgers, the Big East’s leading scorer at 19.3 points per game, grabbed a share of the Georgetown record for all-time career three-pointers when she converted one from downtown with 14:33 remaining. The three-time conference player of the week was awarded her seventh mention on the weekly Big East Honor Roll, finishing with 14 points and three blocks on the afternoon.

Magee led the Hoyas with an impressive double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue and Gray outrebounded Providence, 44-33, and forced 16 turnovers while committing 13.

Next up for Georgetown is a Saturday road date with nemesis Syracuse, whom the Hoyas squeezed for a 69-42 victory on Jan. 15 at McDonough Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.

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