GW’s Tyler Cavanaugh continues to adjust to new teammates in victory
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Version 0 of 1. The George Washington men’s basketball team leaned on three-point shooting during the first half, efficiency from the free throw line following intermission and balanced scoring throughout to handle Penn State, 76-66, Tuesday night at Smith Center. In the Colonials’ first game in six days, junior forward Tyler Cavanaugh posted a team-high 18 points with a game-high 10 rebounds. Three other GW players reached double figures, including senior guard Joe McDonald with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists without a turnover. Sophomore forward Yuta Watanabe had all 14 of his points in the first half, making 4 of 7 three-pointers. GW (8-1) won its second in a row in the second game of a four-game home stand. The victory was the Colonials’ first at home against a Big Ten opponent since they defeated Wisconsin, 77-74, on Dec. 7, 1977. It also was the first time since Dec. 6, 1986, GW has hosted a team from the Big Ten. The Colonials’ next game Saturday is also against a Big Ten opponent, Rutgers. [Boston College basketball team gets food poisoning] The Colonials shot 47 percent, including 52 percent in the first half, made 14 of 18 free throws after the break, assisted on 16 of 23 field goals and thrived despite leading scorer Patricio Garino finishing with a season-low two points, more than 13 below his average (15.2). GW also went 9 of 20 from three-point range. “Pato had an off night tonight, and that shows the balance on our team,” said Cavanaugh, a Wake Forest transfer. “Yuta came out strong in the beginning, made some big shots. I just thought we passed the ball really well. Joe had a great second half. I think when the ball is moving like that, it’s easy to have balanced scoring.” Eight free throws in a row plus Paul Jorgensen’s jumper pushed the Colonials to a 71-55 lead with 5 minutes 34 seconds left in the game. Cavanaugh and McDonald each made four foul shots during the run in which Penn State (5-3) got all of its points from Brandon Taylor. The Nittany Lions then trimmed the margin to 71-62 with seven points in a row. It was the closest Penn State had been since late in the first half, prompting GW Coach Mike Lonergan to call timeout with 3:21 to play. Out of the stoppage, the Colonials moved the ball crisply around the perimeter before going inside to center Kevin Larsen, who passed back out to Jorgensen for a three-pointer with 3:02 left in the game. Penn State did not threaten the rest of the way. Larsen (six points) missed 5 of 7 shots but contributed seven rebounds and a game-high five assists in 36 minutes. “I couldn’t be happier with our group,” Lonergan said. “I really like our group. What I like too is we’re not there yet. Tonight we made some threes. I thought that was going to be one of our strengths, but we’ve got to keep getting better.” GW forged a 52-36 lead during the early portion of the second half on the strength of a 12-3 burst coming out of the locker room. Cavanaugh began it with seven points in a row to stretch the margin to 47-35. After a Penn State timeout, Garino scored on a layup, and McDonald converted a three-point play. But just when it appeared the Colonials may pull away for good, the Nittany Lions countered with eight consecutive points, culminating with a driving layup by Shep Garner (22 points) to draw Penn State within 56-45. The Colonials scored five of the next seven points, and by the time Cavanaugh made a pair of foul shots and Jorgensen hit a foul-line jumper, GW was in front, 65-49, with 8:45 to play. “They’re all great guys, unselfish basketball players,” Cavanaugh said of his teammates. “They get me the ball in good spots where I feel comfortable to score, and that’s impressive because I’ve only played, what, nine games with them so far? I just think they’re great passers along with Yuta and guys off the bench. That helps me get some easy buckets.” |