The Georgetown University men’s basketball team (11-5, 1-2 Big East) decisively defeated the St. John’s Red Storm (11-5, 0-3 Big East) on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The outcome was not in doubt after the Hoyas ran off 16 straight points, taking a 45-16 lead with 3:25 left in the first half. Georgetown was particularly potent from the three-point line, making 9 of 23.
Following a 10-point scoring run, the Johnnies clawed back to a 13-point deficit midway through the second half, only to see the Hoyas pull away to a 87-66 win behind the scoring of Mac McClung (24 points) and Jamorko Pickett (18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks). It was the first double-double of Pickett’s career. LJ Figueroa topped the scoring for St. John’s with 23 points.
The game, the 114th all-time meeting between the two schools, was Georgetown’s first conference win after out-of-town losses to Providence and Seton Hall. Fortunately for the Hoyas, sophomore guard McClung appeared fully recovered from an eye injury, which forced him to miss the Providence game. Thinned out by the loss of four players to transfer, the Hoyas can ill afford any more injuries to the starting five.
The Hoyas will face a tough task at nationally ranked Villanova on Saturday, Jan. 11, before returning to Capital One Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 15, for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Creighton.
View Jeff Malet’s photos of the St. John’s game by clicking on the photo icons below.
Mac McClung of the Hoyas takes a pass from teammate Jagan Mosely to score early in the first half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Mac McClung drives the baseline against Josh Roberts of the Johnnies. Photo by Jeff Malet.
Qudus Wahab of the Hoyas goes up on Marcellus Earlington of St. John’s in the first half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Jamorko Picket of the Hoyas is guarded by LJ Figueroa of the Johnnies. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Terrell Allen of the Hoyas goes up against LJ Figueroa and Josh Roberts of the Red Storm. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Damien Sears of St. John’s is defended by Mac McClung of the Hoyas in the 2nd half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Omer Yurtseven of the Hoyas is surrounded by Nick Rutherford, Marcellus Earlington and Rasheem Dunn of the Johnnies. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Omer Yurtseven of the Hoyas shoots over Nick Rutherford, Marcellus Earlington and Rasheem Dunn of the Johnnies in the 1st half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Mac McClung of the Hoyas goes up against Nick Rutherford of the Johnnies. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Jack the Bulldog is the official mascot of the Georgetown University Hoyas. (photo by Jeff Malet)
The Hoyas lead St. John’s by 29 points late in the first half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Mac McClung of the Hoyas drives against St. John’s Red Storm guard Mustapha Heron late in the first half. (photo by Jeff Malet).
Mac McClung of the Hoyas goes up against LJ Figueroa of the Johnnies. Both would lead their teams in scoring this night. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Marcellus Earlington pf St. Johns goes up against Mac McClung of the Hoyas in the 2nd half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rasheem Dunn of St. Johns drives against Terrell Allen of the Hoyas. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rasheem Dunn of St. Johns goes up for a shot in the 2nd half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rooting for the Hoyas are students Rachel Cherelstein (carrot) and Lou Chalfant (banana) (photo by Jeff Malet)
The team “Times Ten” from Alexandria Va. entertained at halftime. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Ian Steere of the Johnnies will have this stuff nullified due to a kicked ball. (photo by Jeff Malet)
LJ Figueroa will score 23 points to lead St. John’s scoring. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rasheem Dunn drives to the basket in the 2nd half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rasheem Dunn of St. Johns drives to the basket in the 2nd half. He is guarded by Jahvon Blair of the Hoyas. (photo by Jeff Malet)
LJ Figueroa of St. Johns has the ball slapped away by the Hoyas Terrell Allen in the 2nd half. (photo by Jeff Malet)
St. John’s Mustapha Heron goes up for a shot late in the game. He is defended by Jamorko Pickett of the Hoyas (photo by Jeff Malet).