Cold 2nd half ends Tigers' title hopes in Fab Four
For 2 games in Kansas City, the Georgetown Tigers saw its opponent get off to a hot start and a double-digit 1st half lead, only for the Tigers to rally to win and advance. The tables were turned in the Fab Four as Georgetown raced out to a 16-point 1st half lead, only to see Indiana Tech chip away and shut down Georgetown's offense in the 2nd half. Georgetown was outscored by 20 in the 2nd half and saw its season end in the Fab Four with an 80-71 loss.
Back in the starting lineup, Tae Dozier got the Tigers going with 2 midrange jumpers to start the night. Minutes later, a Dozier slam put Georgetown up 10-5 just under 4 minutes in. The lead would grow as Jake Ohmer scored 5 straight, giving GC a 15-5 lead not even 5 minutes in, forcing Indiana Tech into a timeout. Georgetown kept the momentum out of the stoppage and forced another Tech timeout at the 12:01 mark after a long 3 from Jaquay Wales put GC up 22-9. The teams would trade baskets for a nearly 7-minute stretch to follow. A lay-in from Rashad Bishop gave the Tigers a 36-20 lead with 5:48 to go. The Georgetown offense was shut off from there as the Tigers missed their final 8 shots from the field and saw their lead cut to 40-29 at the break.
After 2 misses to start the 2nd half, Drew LaMont nailed an 18-footer to give the Tigers a 42-31 lead just over a minute into the half. Ohmer would find a crease inside at the 16:47 mark to keep the Tigers lead at 11. The Tigers would only score 2 points over the next 4 minutes, 21 seconds as Indiana Tech chipped away. A jumper from Kyran Jones at the 12:26 mark gave Georgetown a 50-44 lead. The Warriors would answer with consecutive 3s to tie the game for the first time at 50-all. After an Ohmer free throw, the Warriors went to the foul line and converted twice for their 1st lead at 52-51 with 10:55 left. Georgetown wouldn't hit another shot from the field until a Tommy Thomas jumper with 5:42 to go. Indiana Tech answered with a bucket to take a 61-57 lead with 5:17 left. When the Tigers would score from the floor at this point, the Warriors answered. A lay-in from Thomas with 3:42 to go brought GC within 3, but the Warriors scored on their next possession, pushing it back to a two-possession game.
The Tigers last fight came with under 3 minutes to go. Jake Ohmer hit a 3 from the left wing to get GC within 69-65 with 2:37 left. Kyran Jones would create a steal and score on the next sequence, getting Georgetown to a 69-67 deficit with 1:55 left. Once more, the Warriors had the answer. A baseline jumper followed by Warrior free throws after a missed GC 3, made the score 73-67 with 1:01 left. The Tigers would never get within 6 again as the Warriors hit enough free throws down the stretch for the 80-71 win, sending the Warriors on to the national title game.
Georgetown shot just 30% in the 2nd half, while the Warriors were at 47%. The Tigers mustered 11 offensive rebounds against the bigger Warriors front, but only turned in 5 2nd chance points after 39 in the 1st 2 games in Kansas City. Free throws proved huge down the stretch as Tech hit 21-26 from the line in the 2nd half. Georgetown shot just 14-23 at the foul line in the game.
Jake Ohmer ended his Tiger career with a game-high 20 points. Kyran Jones ended the night with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Tae Dozier fouled out but not before ending with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Tommy Thomas added 10 points off the bench.
Georgetown's season ends with a record of 30-6, and the Tigers should return the bulk of the roster next season with a strong chance for another deep tourney run.