Monroe’s layup helps Georgetown escape against scrappy Owls
Georgetown’s home opener against Temple began with two teams looking like they were snarled in rush-hour traffic typical of the 4 p.m. hour in which the game tipped off. But with a driving right-handed layup from lefty Greg Monroe with 6.5 seconds remaining, the Hoyas found their exit ramp and made it home safely, scraping by with a 46-45 win in front of 8,712 at Verizon Center.
The Owls (1-1), who thanks Lavoy Allen (12 points, 14 rebounds) and Ramone Moore (8 points) erased a 12-point Georgetown lead in the second half, had a chance to score the game-winner but Luis Guzman was tied up by Monroe after driving the length of the floor, a sign perhaps that the Hoyas (2-0) have matured after falling short in countless similar situations last season.
“We definitely were in these types of situations,” said Monroe (11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists). “I think that with the growth of this team, we’re definitely not going to lose these type of games this year.”
As part of ESPN’s 24-hour tip-off marathon, St. Peter’s and Monmouth had tipped off earlier in the day at 6 a.m. But the Owls and the Hoyas were far more groggy, and Georgetown finished the game with more fouls (18) and turnovers (16) than field goals (15).
Monroe finished the first half 1-for-5, and Temple guard Ryan Brooks, who had scored 23 points in Temple’s season-opening win over Delaware, missed his first six shots and finished the game with 6 points on 2-for-14 shooting.
After taking a 19-13 lead into halftime, Georgetown found some rhythm as Monroe fed Chris Wright (game-high 15 points) for a layup and a 3-pointer to give the Hoyas their biggest lead, 27-15.
The Owls responded with a 24-6 run, capped by a Brooks 3-pointer for a brief, 39-36 advantage that evaporated with two 3-point plays by Monroe sandwiched around a Jason Clark 3-pointer.
“For us to be able to maintain our poise, our composure,” said Hoyas head coach John Thompson III, “and whether it’s ugly or not, to make the plays, get the rebounds at both ends of the floor and win the game, that was good.”
