In a hard-fought battle at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the Georgetown University men’s basketball team came up short in their College Basketball Crown quarterfinal matchup, falling to the University of Nebraska, 81-69, on Wednesday night. Despite a stellar second-half performance by sophomore guard Malik Mack, the Hoyas were unable to overcome a balanced and dominant Nebraska squad. With the loss, Georgetown concludes its season at 18-16, while the Cornhuskers improve to 19-14 and move on to face Boise State in the semifinals.
Postgame Reflection from Head Coach Ed Cooley
Head Coach Ed Cooley expressed his gratitude to the event’s organizers and sponsors but made it clear that this tournament is not where he envisions Georgetown’s future. “We appreciate the invitation and the hospitality. The lights and stage are great, but this is not our destination,” Cooley said. Reflecting on a season filled with adversity, he noted, “This year has been one of the most challenging but also rewarding. The number of injuries we’ve faced since November really tested us, and even though it wasn’t perfect, I’m proud of how our guys battled.”
Mack Leads the Charge
Malik Mack was the undisputed standout for Georgetown, finishing with a game-high 25 points. He scored 23 of those in the second half, hitting 7-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Mack also went 7-of-9 from the free-throw line and dished out three assists. His explosive scoring stretch after halftime kept the Hoyas in the game and showcased the talent that carried him throughout the season.
Joining Mack in double digits was sophomore forward Jordan Burks, who chipped in 11 points, shooting 4-for-12 overall and 3-for-8 from three-point range. Burks also led the team in rebounds with six. Freshman forward Drew McKenna added five boards of his own, and both Burks and sophomore forward Austin Montgomery contributed one block each.
Team Stats and Struggles
Georgetown finished the night shooting 39.0% from the field and 40.0% from deep, knocking down 12 of 30 three-point attempts. The Hoyas forced 10 Nebraska turnovers, scoring seven points off those, and recorded six steals. However, they committed 11 turnovers themselves and were out-rebounded 40 to 31, a key factor that allowed Nebraska to control the tempo for much of the game.
Nebraska’s Balanced Attack
The Cornhuskers were led by Brice Williams, who poured in 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting, supported by a perfect 10-for-10 performance at the free-throw line. Juwan Gary added 17 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Andrew Morgan contributed 12 points and nine boards. Nebraska shot an efficient 47.5% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
Cale Jacobsen directed the offense with four assists, while Sam Hoiberg and Williams each added three. The Cornhuskers’ solid team play and rebounding dominance proved too much for Georgetown to overcome.
How the Game Played Out
Nebraska opened the scoring, but Georgetown quickly answered with a three-pointer from Burks. After falling behind 12-5, the Hoyas made a small run, highlighted by free throws from Curtis Williams Jr. and a three by Mack, narrowing the gap to 12-10. The two teams traded buckets, and the Hoyas trailed by just one before Nebraska responded with a 7-0 run to regain momentum.
Despite a short Georgetown rally following a timeout, the Huskers built their largest first-half lead at 32-18. Late triples from Kayvaun Mulready helped the Hoyas close the half on a better note, heading into the locker room down 34-24.
In the second half, Nebraska surged ahead, pushing the lead to 19 points early behind Williams’ offensive burst. Georgetown showed resilience, sparked by a three-pointer from freshman Michael Van Raaphorst—his first collegiate points—and a three-point play by Curtis Williams Jr. Mack followed with a transition three, cutting the deficit to 12 points.
Georgetown continued to claw back, with Mack and Mulready leading a charge that brought the Hoyas within single digits at 53-44. A layup-and-one from McKenna further closed the gap to 58-50. Down the stretch, the Hoyas leaned on their main contributors, and a late dunk by Montgomery pulled them within eight, 77-69. However, Nebraska maintained their composure and sealed the game with a final score of 81-69.
Standout Performances
Malik Mack’s 23 second-half points were the most in a half by any Hoya this season, surpassing his own 20-point half against Xavier in January. Over the course of the College Basketball Crown tournament, Mack tallied 62 points, averaging 31.0 points per game while hitting 60% of his threes (12-for-20) across two contests.
Looking Back and Ahead
Though the season ends in disappointment, Georgetown’s showing in the College Basketball Crown highlighted both the promise of its younger players and the grit that defined their season. With key returners like Mack and Burks, and a deeper roster expected next year, the Hoyas look to build on the foundation laid this season under Coach Cooley’s leadership.
As Georgetown shifts focus to the offseason, questions remain about roster changes and recruiting. However, one thing is clear—this team showed signs of growth and toughness that bode well for the program’s future.
While the loss stings, the experience gained and the emergence of a star in Mack provide plenty of reason for optimism. The Hoyas may have exited the College Basketball Crown earlier than hoped, but they leave with valuable lessons and a clearer vision of where they’re headed.
