With finals week approaching on college campuses around the country, the No. 16 Georgetown Hoyas had their first major test Tuesday night against No. 9 Missouri. The Hoyas barely passed their first test of the season, blowing an 18-point first half lead before tying the game in the final seconds and winning in overtime 111-102.
Austin Freeman led the Hoyas with 31 points. Jason Clark added 26 points and Chris Wright had 21 points.
Georgetown came out swinging and took a 38-20 lead midway through the first half paced by a 71.4% field goal percentage through the first 20 minutes. Missouri, however, would not go quietly, ending the half on a 27-16 run and only trailed 54-47 at halftime.
In the second half, the Tigers' frantic style of play, known as "The Fastest 40 Minutes In Basketball," took hold of the Hoyas. Missouri, led by Marcus Denmon's 27 points, took the lead at 72-71. The Tigers and Hoyas would trade baskets for the rest of the game until Missouri took a four point lead.
With the game seemingly under wraps for Missouri because of Michael Dixon's free throws, the Hoyas found a way to tie it. Laurence Bowers missed two free throws and on the ensuing play, Wright was fouled and hit two of his own to cut the lead to 93-91. The Hoyas fouled Nixon again and he hit the first shot, but missed the second. After a missed shot, Georgetown corralled the offensive rebound and Wright hit the tying three point shot right before the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
In the extra session, Clark hits two consecutive threes to give the Hoyas a 104-98 lead with 2:08 remaining, a lead that would expand before the eventual victory.
Georgetown will have a slightly easier test ahead of them this Saturday at Verizon Center when they welcome the Utah State Aggies at 12 noon.