Providence Manhandles Georgetown, 103-79

No Big East team had ever done to Georgetown what Providence did Saturday night.

Providence, with some excellent defense and torrid three-point shooting, beat No. 15-ranked Georgetown, 103-79--the first time any conference team topped 100 points against the Hoyas.

“I just wish I could bottle that performance tonight. Providence Coach Tim Welsh said. “We were a 10-plus tonight against one of the better teams in the country. I don’t usually brag too much about our guys but I can’t hold it back tonight.”

Providence, 17-6 overall and 8-3 in the Big East, shot 63.6% in the first half--making nine of 12 three-point attempts--to take a 61-35 lead. The 61 points were a conference record for a half.

John Linehan, the Friars’ 5-foot-9 guard, made four of five shots and had 11 points in the first half but made his biggest impact on defense with four steals and relentless pursuit. Georgetown (19-4, 6-4) had 19 turnovers in the first half that Providence converted into 25 points.

“John is the heart and soul of this team,” said Karim Shabazz said of Linehan. “He puts so much pressure on the ball for up to 27 seconds that it gives the other teams only eight seconds to execute their offense.”

Providence took its biggest lead at 73-42 lead with 16:15 to play on an NBA-length three-point basket by Linehan. The Friars went over 100 points with 3:03 left on a short jumper by Linehan.

Shabazz led Providence with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Linehan finished with 18 points, 10 assists and six steals, and Abdul Mills had 15 points, making five of six three-pointers as the Friars made 14 of 19 three-pointers.

Demetrius Hunter and Mike Sweetney each had 17 points for the Hoyas, who finished with 25 turnovers.

“Providence really came out and did a great job at the beginning of the game offensively and defensively,” Georgetown Coach Craig Esherick said. “They took advantage of every mistake we made on offense and it seemed they made 3-pointers off them. They hit the shots when they were open and they got themselves open. In the first half they thoroughly outplayed us and really we were just waiting for the end of the game.”