George Washington Basketball: Close Loss to Morgan State

George Washington came in today’s game with Morgan State hoping to avoid a hangover from Tuesday night’s buzzer beater loss to American. But the Colonials couldn’t overcome a Morgan State 15-0 second half run in their four-point home loss.

Morgan State 68  George Washington 64

GW was hampered when they lost double-double machine, Arnoldo Toro to an apparent ankle injury. “Small injury there. We’re not really concerned about it on our end,” said George Washington head coach, Jamion Christian.

Early in the first half both teams looked to push the pace and maybe it was a little too fast for them. It was the Colonials that broke out of the slump; first. Back to back three pointers by Jameer Nelson Jr. and Maceo Jack pushed the lead to 11-7.

The Bears followed that up with an 8-2 run that gave them a 15-13 lead.

As the half went back and forth, the Colonials were able to score 11 points off eight Morgan State turnovers. For the Bears, their bread an butter came in the paint as the scored 18 of their 30 first half points in the lane.

Halftime Score: Morgan State 30 George Washington 32

First Half Notes:

  • Both GW and Morgan State have new coaches. Kevin Broadus joined the Bears this season after being an assistant coach at Maryland.
  • Toro went out early with an injury.
  • With 12 minutes left in the first half, George Washington was in the bonus. Double bonus with 6:56. Colonials were 0-1 in one and one situations. Three for five in double bonus situations.
  • Morgan State came in tied for 316th in the nation in three point shooting. Bears were 1-8 from the three point line in the first half
  • Jameer Nelson Jr. and Maceo Jack scored 11 of GW’s first 13 points
  • George Washington outscored Morgan State 11-0 on points off turnovers.
  • Colonials 10-15 from the free throw line in the first half

Second Half

The second half started off a lot like the first half. Both teams were trying to pressure and speed up the pace.

George Washington would hit three of their first four shots of the half. Morgan State didn’t shoot as high of a percentage but without Toro in the middle, they were able to grab three offensive rebounds early in the half.

The Colonials would take their largest lead (at the time), 44-38. Morgan State would respond, cutting the lead to 44-42.

Like the first half, the Colonials would get into the bonus early (12;16 left in the half). They responded by driving the ball to the basket getting to the free throw line or kicking to shooters when it was open.

But Morgan State wouldn’t go away keeping the game in arm’s reach before taking a 52-51 lead with 9:20 left. The Bears’ 15-0 run would eventually give them a 61-51 lead. The run was capped off by a Stanley Davis three pointer.

Perhaps the biggest moment of the half came with 5:47 left when Davis picked up his fourth foul but they couldn’t draw his fifth.  “When you have a guy like Toro, you throw the ball inside,” said Christian. But without Toro available, the Colonials couldn’t take advantage of Morgan State’s best player being in foul trouble.

An Armel Potter layup cut it to 67-62. Morgan State would turn the ball over their next two possessions and with under a minute left, Nelson Jr. made two free throws cutting the lead to three.

Another defensive stop and the Colonials had the ball with 19.8 seconds left with a chance to tie.

But Walker Jr. and Jack came up empty on three-point attempts.

Davis would seal it making one of two free throws.

Second Half Notes:

  • Toro came back to the bench but didn’t check in.
  • Colonials go into the bonus at 12:16. Colonials in one and one situations: (2-3) . Colonials in double bonus situation: (4-4)
  • George Washington would finish with 31 free throw attempts making 23.
  • Morgan State would finish with 40 points in the paint.
  • Without Toro to deal with, Morgan State would win the rebounding war, 45-29.

Quotes:

Coach Christian (on starting Shawn Walker Jr.) – “Shawn has had a great two weeks of practice. Practice is important here”

Coach Christian (on Morgan State fouling) – “They foul more than any other team in the country.”

Coach Christian (on what needs to be done late in close games) – “We executed better today at the end than we did the other night so we took a big step in that. We need to make outside shots.”

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