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 performance, with Vince Iwuchukwu leading the charge by scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Jeremiah Williams also contributed significantly, matching Iwuchukwu’s 17 points, while Mack added 16 points to the scoreboard.
Georgetown’s defense was a key factor in the win, as they outrebounded DePaul 42-30 and limited their shooting to 34.5% from the field, while Georgetown managed a field goal percentage of 39.3%. Despite struggling from beyond the arc with a 21.4% shooting rate, the Hoyas’ overall effort secured their advancement.
“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,” Iwuchukwu reflected on his performance, highlighting the support from his teammates.
Georgetown’s win improved their all-time record in the BIG EAST Tournament to 58-38, a notable achievement as they prepare to face Villanova in the quarterfinals. The historical rivalry between Georgetown and Villanova adds significance to this upcoming matchup, which Georgetown leads 6-2 in their tournament encounters.
Coach Cooley acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the season, stating, “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.” This victory marks a pivotal moment for the team as they look to build momentum.
As Georgetown gears up for their next game, Iwuchukwu expressed gratitude towards their fans, saying, “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.” This enthusiasm will be crucial as they prepare to take on Villanova on March 12, 2026.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the lineup or strategy as the team looks to capitalize on their recent success.
