Jones' return sparks Tigers romp in MSC Quarters
With the memory of Georgetown's 23-point comeback against Cumberland fresh in everyone's minds, many wondered how this meeting on a neutral floor would pan out. The anticipated showdown never materialized.
After missing the final 3 regular season games and playing on a familiar floor from the past, Kyran Jones returned to action in the Mid-South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals with a vengeance. The Bowling Green native tallied 13 points and 14 rebounds off the bench as Georgetown blew past Cumberland, 83-52, to advance to Sunday's semifinal.
Cumberland came in with ideas of recreating the 1st 34 minutes of the meeting 2 weeks ago in Davis-Reid Alumni Gym. The Phoenix scored the 1st 4 points of this game, but the Tigers came ready. A 3-pointer from Jaquay Wales sparked a 15-0 Tigers run and sent Georgetown surging into the lead. Cumberland would go scoreless for a stretch of 5 minutes, 5 seconds to fall behind, 15-4. Minutes later, Tae Dozier would connect on the first of his 2 made 3s, and Cumberland would call a timeout, trailing 20-7 with just over 11 minutes to go in the half. The teams would trade baskets for much of the rest of the half. Cumberland got within 8 twice in the half, but no closer as Georgetown took a 34-23 lead into halftime. The Tigers held the Phoenix to just 32% shooting and forced 5 turnovers.
Early in the 2nd half, Cumberland scored 6 unanswered to get within 34-29 just 2 minutes into the half. Tae Dozier quickly responded with a 3-point play, soon followed by a Cam Brooks-Harris 3, and a Jake Ohmer lay-in and the lead was right back up to 13, forcing a Phoenix timeout. Cumberland would get a 3 from Tyler Byrd out of the timeout, but the Tigers answered with 5 straight, thanks to a Kyran Jones bucket inside and Dozier's 2nd 3 of the game, giving GC a 47-32 lead with just under 14 minutes to go. Tyler Byrd, who went off in Georgetown 2 weeks ago, would hit his 2nd and last 3 of the night to try to halt the bleeding but Jaquay Wales countered with a 3 of his own to stem the tide. Cumberland's last threat came with a bucket to bring them within 54-42 at the 9:21 mark. From there, Georgetown outscored Cumberland, 29-10, to run away with its 3rd win over the Phoenix on the season.
Defense was the story on this night for Georgetown. Compared to the comeback classic 2 weeks ago, Georgetown held Cumberland to 25 fewer points and 12 fewer made baskets. The Phoenix also shot nearly 20 percentage points lower overall and nearly 40 points lower from 3. Georgetown also dominated the glass with Kyran Jones back in the fold. The teams tied with 28 rebounds each in the last matchup. Georgetown was plus-15 on the boards today and plus-28 points in the paint.
12 of the 13 Tigers who saw the court got into the scoring column. Kyran Jones and Tae Dozier each finished with 13. Jones was named the Player of the Game. Jaquay Wales ended the night with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Cam Brooks-Harris and Jabrion Spikes finished with 9 each, while Rashad Bishop tallied 8.
Georgetown will battle Pikeville in a tournament semifinal on Sunday night, starting at 6:00pm ET, in Bowling Green.