Depending on what side of the fence you’re on, there are some bettors highly upset with the finish of Sunday’s Big East contest between Georgetown and Connecticut. UConn seemed headed to a 20-point win, but Georgetown went on a meaningless late rally to cover on an awfully bad beat.
Connecticut led 81-59 with 2:53 remaining following a Jalen Gaffney three pointer. The Huskies entered the game an 11-point favorite. Georgetown entered the game winless in the Big East with a 0-16 conference record, losers of 17 straight.
Game was a wrap.
Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley called off the dogs and started subbing his starters out of the game. That opened the window for the relentless Hoyas to go on a short rally.
Georgetown went on a 13-0 run to close the gap to nine at 81-72 with 55 seconds remaining. Hoyas head coach Patrick Ewing then played the fouling game to extend the game. By then, Hurley had re-entered RJ Cole and other starters in the game.
Gaffney made four straight free throws to push the Huskies lead back to 13. Still, there were 33 seconds remaining, too much time for nervous bettors who picked the Huskies.
Hoyas guard Dante Harris hit a three on the ensuing possession to close the gap to 10. Gaffney was fouled on the next possession. He made the first but missed the second. Aminu Mohammed, who made just two field goals all game, slammed an uncontested dunk with 15 seconds to bring the score to 86-77.
Ewing called off the fouls and UConn mercilessly dribbled out the clock. Talk about a bad beat. Georgetown was blown out for much of the game and rallied to cover the spread.
The loss is Georgetown’s 18th in a row. It was a predictable outcome to the game. UConn is a Big East tournament contender and some have them going far in next month’s NCAA tournament. However, the final 2:41 of the game crushed the hearts of UConn bettors.
