The next time Georgetown schedules a game for McDonough Arena, it should consider an opponent other than Old Dominion. In 27 years at the 2,400-seat, on-campus gym, the Hoyas have lost twice — both times to ODU.
The latest defeat came Saturday night, 61-57, in a game the undefeated Hoyas never led. In 2006, when ODU won 75-62 at McDonough, Georgetown was ranked No. 8, and again entered without a loss.
Recommended Stories
Perhaps it is time for the Hoyas to renew their storied rivalry with St. Leo? Maybe Shenandoah?
As ODU (7-4) took a bus trip from Norfolk to Washington on Friday afternoon, coach Blaine Taylor played a tape of the Monarchs’ 2006 win at McDonough.
“I watched the film,” said Taylor. “And I said, ‘How in the world can we play that well again?'”
ODU arrived in Washington early to beat an approaching snowstorm. Twenty-four hours later, with more than a foot of snow on the ground, Georgetown students filled McDonough to capacity.
“The story tonight,” Taylor told the Virginian-Pilot before tip-off, “is that we’re playing.”
But that story line was quickly eclipsed by ODU guards Ben Finney and Trian Iliadis, who hit 3-of-4 shots, each from 3-point range, as the Monarchs built an 18-point lead. Meanwhile, GU (8-1) hit just 5-of-17 from the arc and committed 18 turnovers.
“Lightning struck twice,” said Taylor.
