A grinding victory

January 13, 2016 - Georgetown made it little question, powering over St. John's 93-73 tonight in BIG EAST Conference action. Two starters, one filling in, set the tone, both logging 13 points in the first half.

The game's first bucket was scored by Reggie Cameron; A junior forward substituting for freshman Marcus Derrickson, then sank a jumper, his first two points in a 15 point night. During the first 20 minutes, Cameron went 3/5 from beyond the arc.

While Cameron's output was a surprise - he has averaged 6.4 points per game this year - though certainly prolific, the performance of senior guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera wasn't; he dropped 33 points while also pulling down seven rebounds. Both were game highs, though the latter mark was shared by SJU freshman forward Kassoum Yakwe.

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Yakwe also led the contests in rejections, throwing three G'Town shots the other direction. He had his work cut out for him, starting out the contest guarding Bradley Hayes in the post. Hayes (eight points), a senior pivot man, along with freshman post man Jessie Govan (nine points, four rebounds) played a key role in opening up the game for shooters, as the Johnnies had to collapse/pack their defense around them.

A nearly two minute, first half spurt more or less illustrated that dynamic: Hayes scored, followed by Cameron's three pointer. Hayes soon answered with a layup, while Cameron, not to be undone, logged another three ball. The Hoyas went from up six to ten after this sequence.

Sealing the game for Georgetown (11-6 overall, 4-1 in the BIG EAST ), who shot 51.9% from the field and 41.7% beyond the stripe, was a subsequent 8-1 run.

There was a palpable level of frustration from St. John's (7-11, 0-5), which shot identically from inside and on the other side of the three point line - 38.9%. It surely helped contribute to the second half technical foul issued senior forward Ron Mvouika (15 team high points) for the hard foul delivered G'Town point guard Tre Campbell (12 points). Not to be undone, Campbell also received a technical then, while Cameron was rung up similarly later in the period.

The Hoyas welcome #6 ranked nationally Villanova on Saturday, a key game for their NCAA Tournament designs and desire to stay in the top half of BIG EAST standings. Tip off is 1p ET.

St. John's will lick it's wounds until Saturday, when they take on Butler at noon ET.