Tigers reverse 4th quarter woes to rout Phoenix

Fourth quarter troubles have arguably cost Georgetown a couple of wins in recent weeks. The Tigers were able to buck the trend and outscore Cumberland, 30-11, in the final 10 minutes for a 78-52 win to get back above .500 in MSC play with 3 games to go.

Georgetown needed such a run because the first 3 quarters were a struggle, particularly in the area of ball security. In the first quarter, the Tigers shot 8-13 from the floor but only led by 8 thanks to 9 turnovers. Trinity Klock tallied 5 points and 4 boards in the period, while Teionni McDaniel and Izzy Lamparty each had 4.

The second quarter proved a similar story. The offense shot nearly 50% but the lead only grew by 3 thanks to 7 more turnovers. Georgetown's lead at the half was 11 at 38-27 thanks to a strong defense that held Cumberland to just 32% shooting in the first half. The Phoenix were also bit by the turnover bug as they coughed it up 13 times in the half.

The woes continued to worsen in the 3rd quarter. Georgetown made just 4 of 13 shots from the floor and turned the ball over 10 times in putting up just 10 points. The defense rose to the challenge once more as Cumberland only scored 14 points on 38% shooting. Georgetown's lead remained unsteady at 48-41 going to the 4th quarter.

Once the 4th started, Georgetown flipped almost everything on its head. Anna Long started the quarter with a deep 3. After a stop, Izzy Lamparty scored inside and Cumberland called an immediate timeout down 12. The Tigers kept rolling. Teionni McDaniel forced a steal and took it the other way for a layup. She then corralled a missed jump shot, headed for the offensive end, and nailed a 3. A Trinity Klock basket followed, and in a span of 2 minutes, 15 seconds, Georgetown scored 12 straight to blow the game wide open. Cumberland got its 2nd bucket of the quarter with 5:59 to go to cut the GC lead to 62-45. The Phoenix would not score again until the 2:32 mark as Georgetown built its lead to 25 in between to leave no doubt as to the final result.

Georgetown shot 56% in the quarter with just 3 turnovers. The defense remained true and dominant in limiting the Phoenix to 24% in the 4th with 6 turnovers. Teionni McDaniel and Abby Varney combined for half of the Tigers' 30 in the quarter to lead the romp. The tandem finished equaled with 17 points each for the game. The post duo of Izzy Lamparty and Trinity Klock combined for 26 points and 22 rebounds. Sophie Smith pulled down 11 rebounds as Georgetown dominated the glass, 50-27.

The Tigers now get set for Senior Day on Saturday against Campbellsville. Tip time is set for 1:00pm.