Georgetown 78, Syracuse 71: Hoyas hand Orange fourth loss of season

It was another classic rivalry game. This time it went to Georgetown.

On Pearl Washington Day at the Carrier Dome, the Syracuse Orange and Georgetown Hoyas squared off in the latest version of the ex-Big East rivalry. Alas, this one went Georgetown’s way in a 78-71 finish.

Graduate transfer guard Andrew White got the Orange out to a hot start, hitting his first two 3-pointers he attempted in front of the Georgetown bench, giving SU an early 8-4 lead.

Struggling sophomore forward Tyler Lydon got out to his best start of the season, going 4-for-4 from the floor in the first half. He had a team-high nine points at the break.

Dajuan Coleman found himself in foul trouble, which led to Taurean Thompson played 13 first-half minutes. He had seven points, four rebounds and two blocks in an energetic half.

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Georgetown’s L.J. Peak led all scorers with 12 points at the half.

After hitting his first two 3-pointers, Andrew White went 0-of-5 from the floor. He played all 20 minutes, as the Orange and Hoyas were tied at 33 at intermission.

The second half played much like the first — back and forth. Tyler Lydon continued his hot shooting, connecting on his first two shots, including a 3, giving Syracuse a 40-38 lead.

Georgetown’s L.J. Peak and Rodney Pryor continued to answer everything Syracuse threw at them, both getting into double-figures early in the second half.

Jim Boeheim wanted Lydon to shoot more, and he did that on Saturday. He scored a career-high 29 points on 12-of-13 shooting. His previously career-high was 21 points last season at Pittsburgh.

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Andrew White chipped in 12 points, while Gillon - in his first start at SU - scored 11. Gillon also played a season-high 37 minutes.

But it wasn’t enough. Georgetown pulled away late in the second half, much to the work of Peak and Pryor. The two combined for 43 points, while Jessie Govan added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Georgetown won the battle of the boards, 41-30. The Orange finished with 10 assists and 13 turnovers.

The Hoyas handed the Orange its fourth loss of the season.

Syracuse returns to action on Monday in the Carrier Dome against Eastern Michigan (6-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.