The Georgetown Hoyas will not win many games this season if their two key players Jason Clark and Hollis Thompson combine to score only 17 points on 6-18 shooting from the field. However, thanks to the excellent play from the Hoya underclassmen, the Georgetown Hoyas began Big East play with an impressive road victory against previously undefeated Louisville 71-68. Sophomore guard Markell Starks led all scorers with a career-high 20 points on an incredible 7-8 FG (4-4 3pt), and Freshman Otto Porter collected his first collegiate double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

The Cardinals started the game hot with Kyle Kuric (17 Points) hitting three 3-pointers in the opening minutes to push Louisville to a 9-point lead. Georgetown slowly chipped away, getting contributions from a variety of players. Hoya freshman Jabril Trawick came in off the bench to score nine points in the first half during Georgetown’s comeback. Louisville led 35-32 at the half.

In the second half, down by five, Georgetown took control of the game, going on a 24-8 run over ten and a half minutes. During that run, Starks scored 11 points, connecting on three long range jumpers and capping the run with an inside finish off of a back-door cut. Although the Hoyas had the largest lead of the game with just over four minutes to play, Louisville used their full court, high pressure to respond with a lightning fast surge. The Cardinals scored 11 straight points in just over two minutes to tie the game at 63.

With the score tied, Porter came up with a critical offensive rebound and putback to put the Hoyas in front for good, and on the ensuing Louisville possession, Porter grabbed the defensive rebound. From that point the Hoyas, went 6 out of 7 from the free throw line (Porter 4-4) to seal the game. Louisville scored at the buzzer to make the final score 71-68.

The Hoyas return home to Verizon Center on New Year’s Eve where they will have their Big East home opener against Providence at 2pm.