A crammed Saturday for teams in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, with a few more laments than triumphs ...
FORTUNES RISING
Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown
Nineteen points. Fourteen rebounds. And a big role in a much-needed victory for the Hoyas.
It was an exceptional day for the sophomore, who added two assists and three steals in a 67-51 victory at St. John's. Georgetown (11-3, 1-2 Big East) snapped a two-game skid and won for what felt like the first time in a month; it wasn't quite that, but the Hoyas' last victory was back on Dec. 22 against American.
Georgetown played without the suspended Greg Whittington, and center Mikael Hopkins fouled out in 10 minutes, so not all was perfect. But Porter played in a way the Hoyas probably will need against better Big East teams, and they rolled to blowout as a result.
FORTUNES FALLING
George Mason
Losing at a struggling UNC Wilmington bunch just wasn't a good look for the Patriots (9-7, 2-2 CAA), who played without injured sophomore center Erik Copes.
Still, the Seahawks were coming off a 28-point thumping at James Madison and have not looked like the sort of team likely to create too many headaches for the top of the conference.
Well, at least until they held a 26-2 advantage in second-chance points while snagging just as many offensive rebounds (21) as Mason managed defensive rebounds.
The Patriots' problem is obvious: Beyond Sherrod Wright and Patrick Holloway, they can't score with any consistency. And when their defense or rebounding is shoddy, they're in trouble.
NUMBER OF NOTE
3
Players with at least 16 points in American's 72-63 victory at Colgate. Stephen Lumpkins (22 points), Tony Wroblicky (17) and Blake Jolivette (16) all reached that figure as the Eagles (6-10) won their Patriot League opener.
IN OTHER ACTION
Hard as it is to believe, Virginia failed to crack 50 points for only the second time this season, suffering a 59-44 loss at Clemson. The Cavaliers fell to 11-5, 1-2 in the ACC. ... There was better news for Virginia Tech, which got 28 points from Erick Green as it rallied past Georgia Tech 70-65 in overtime.
Towson saw its four-game winning streak snapped, a development you can read about in today's Baltimore Sun. ... Navy (6-11) lost its fifth consecutive game, falling 64-47 in its Patriot League opener. ... George Washington dropped a 71-56 decision at Xavier. Lasan Kromah led the Colonials (7-8, 1-1 Atlantic 10) with 12 points.
Morgan State handled South Carolina State 76-60, while Coppin State (against Savannah State), Howard (against Hampton) Mount St. Mary's (at Long Island) and UMBC (at Vermont) all lost.
ON TAP SUNDAY
Loyola (12-5, 4-1 Metro Atlantic) goes for the season sweep as it visits Rider. The Greyhounds upended the Broncs 71-65 on Jan. 4. ... Maryland (13-2, 1-1 ACC) heads to Miami (11-3, 2-0) for its conference road opener. The Terps are 0-6 all-time at BankUnited Center.
--- Patrick Stevens
Comments