The Georgetown Hoyas concluded their 2025 basketball season with a disappointing performance, suffering a significant loss to the St. John's Red Storm. This New Year's Eve matchup saw the Hoyas fall to 1-2 in BIG EAST play, prompting a desire to move past this particular game and embrace the new year. Despite individual efforts, the team's struggles with defense and foul accumulation proved insurmountable against a strong offensive display from St. John's. The impending new year offers an opportunity for the team to regroup and strategize for future games, especially with a crucial matchup against DePaul on the horizon.
Hoyas' Offensive Efforts and Defensive Lapses
The Georgetown Hoyas' final game of 2025 against the St. John's Red Storm ended in a 95-80 defeat, leaving them with a 1-2 record in BIG EAST play. While the team showcased some impressive offensive plays, particularly from KJ Lewis, who led with 24 points and went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, and Malik Mack, who contributed 18 points and 8 assists, these efforts were not enough to secure a victory. The Red Storm demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy, hitting 30-of-60 from the field and an impressive 15-of-27 from beyond the arc, which significantly contributed to their lead throughout the game.
From the outset, both teams displayed a lack of defensive intensity. Georgetown initially gained an advantage with early three-pointers from Isaiah Abraham and Malik Mack. However, the Hoyas faced an early setback with key player Julius Halaifonua incurring two quick fouls, forcing him to the bench. Despite strong rebounding and a 9-0 run led by Jeremiah Williams, Langston Love, and Lewis, Georgetown's lead was short-lived. St. John's quickly erased the deficit, and continued foul trouble for Georgetown's frontcourt players, including Halaifonua and Seal Diouf, exacerbated their defensive challenges. A notable scoring drought for the Hoyas allowed St. John's to embark on a 10-0 run, firmly taking control of the game by halftime with a 52-47 lead, a deficit that only widened as the game progressed into the second half.
Second Half Struggles and Future Outlook
The second half of the game saw the Georgetown Hoyas continue to struggle, with St. John's extending their lead into double digits. Despite brief rallies, including a three-pointer from Mack that narrowed the gap to seven, the Red Storm consistently responded, fueled by their strong perimeter shooting and effective offensive plays. The Hoyas' inability to consistently make field goals and their ongoing defensive challenges, coupled with the absence of Vince and significant foul trouble, proved to be critical factors in their ultimate defeat. The game highlighted several areas for improvement, including defensive strategies, managing foul accumulation, and enhancing overall offensive consistency.
The concluding minutes of the game offered little solace for Georgetown, as they faced an almost insurmountable 19-point deficit by the U4 timeout. While Lewis and Mack continued to fight, their efforts were insufficient to alter the outcome, resulting in a 95-80 final score. This loss served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for the Hoyas in the BIG EAST conference. With a week to recuperate and strategize, the team will need to address their defensive shortcomings and improve their overall team cohesion before their next critical matchup against DePaul in Chicago on January 6th. The new year presents a fresh opportunity for the Hoyas to reset their focus and strive for improved performances in the remainder of the season.