Entering a showdown with #15 Marquette, Georgetown could have expected a shootout. The Golden Eagles boasted a high-octane offense led by Markus Howard, while the Hoyas’ recent improvement from scuffling to something maybe better than that was largely fueled by their improved scoring attack.
Instead, both teams struggled to find offense. Howard went to the sidelines early with back spasms, never to return. Instead, the Golden Eagles turned to sweet-shooting Sam Hauser, who torched the Hoyas with 7 early points and then a barrage down the stretch, whether from 3, at the rim, in the midrange, or with game-icing free-throws.