Guard scores 24 points in win over Cincinnati
Five days after learning he had a medical condition that would affect him and his behavior every day for the rest of his life, Austin Freeman went out and did exactly what he has done for Georgetown all season, leading the Hoyas with 24 points in a 74-47 victory over Cincinnati.
With the regular-season finale triumph, the Hoyas (20-9, 10-8 Big East) secured a top-eight finish in the conference and a bye into the second round of the Big East Tournament, which starts Tuesday.
A week before, Freeman struggled in Georgetown’s loss to Notre Dame due to what was thought to be a stomach virus. Two days later, the illness forced him home from Morgantown prior to a game at West Virginia. He checked into Georgetown University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Considered day-to-day after returning to practice on Wednesday, Freeman’s name wasn’t listed in the starting lineup on the scoreboard before Saturday’s game.
But with one sign reading, “He who is brave is Free,” and a host of students holding up a group of seven posters that spelled, “AFREE15,” each carrying dozens individual messages of support, the Mitchellville native was introduced as normal and honored before the game for eclipsing 1,000 points in his career.
Freeman responded with a driving layup to give Georgetown its first points of the afternoon. By the time he nailed his second three-pointer and again finished strong at the rim, he had 10 of the Hoyas’ first 19 points, inspiring chants of, “Austin Freeman!” and then second of at least four standing ovations he received from the capacity crowd at Verizon Center.
Freeman then added a hanging, double-clutch layup and two free throws during a 9-0 run as the Hoyas broke free from their 29-26 halftime lead and blitzed the Bearcats (16-14, 7-11) with 33 of the game’s final 45 points.
Greg Monroe had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Chris Wright also had 16 points. But on a day when the Hoyas didn’t have a single senior, the afternoon was a tribute to Freeman, who got a hug from Hoyas head coach John Thompson III when he left the game with just over four minutes remaining.
