WASHINGTON - Three times in the second half, Georgetown got within hailing distance of Villanova. Only once did coach Jay Wright feel the need to call a timeout to settle his team.
The 23rd-ranked Wildcats are a team on a roll in every facet, working together to handle adversity and push it aside. They won their fifth straight game Sunday, beating the Hoyas 67-56 by shutting down one of the Big East's top freshmen and getting an inside boost from a sophomore nicknamed "Bump."
Will Sheridan scored a season-high 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, supplementing 18 points from Allan Ray and 12 points and seven assists from Kyle Lowry to move Villanova (19-6, 9-5) into sole possession of fourth place in the conference.
"We know that Will Sheridan has been invaluable to us all year. He's done all the little things," Wright said. "We've been trying to get him to assert himself offensively. He's such a team player he always acquiesces to the other guys. We've been trying to convince him that you're going to make them better by making the other team guard you, and that's what he did today."
Sheridan, who's been called "Bump" since childhood, was 6-of-9 from the field and had three steals. He was a steady force early when neither team was making outside shots. He said he's just getting into the flow of being a starter after serving as a self-described "energy guy" off the bench last year.
"It just took a while to adjust to the starting position," Sheridan said. "When you come off the bench, you get a chance to get a feel for the game. When you start, you have to set the tone."
Villanova put another dent in the NCAA tournament hopes of Georgetown (16-9, 8-6). The Hoyas have lost three straight and likely need at least two more victories to have a realistic shot at their first NCAA bid since 2001.
Will Sheridan scored a season-high 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, supplementing 18 points from Allan Ray and 12 points and seven assists from Kyle Lowry to move Villanova (19-6, 9-5) into sole possession of fourth place in the conference.
"We know that Will Sheridan has been invaluable to us all year. He's done all the little things," Wright said. "We've been trying to get him to assert himself offensively. He's such a team player he always acquiesces to the other guys. We've been trying to convince him that you're going to make them better by making the other team guard you, and that's what he did today."
Sheridan, who's been called "Bump" since childhood, was 6-of-9 from the field and had three steals. He was a steady force early when neither team was making outside shots. He said he's just getting into the flow of being a starter after serving as a self-described "energy guy" off the bench last year.
"It just took a while to adjust to the starting position," Sheridan said. "When you come off the bench, you get a chance to get a feel for the game. When you start, you have to set the tone."
Villanova put another dent in the NCAA tournament hopes of Georgetown (16-9, 8-6). The Hoyas have lost three straight and likely need at least two more victories to have a realistic shot at their first NCAA bid since 2001.
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