In A Class Of Their Own

In a struggle for their souls now, the Hoyas immediately started going to Ewing, whose lights were all on. In the first 26 minutes he had two baskets. Now the imposing 7-foot Olympian scored 11 points in 12-plus minutes—unveiling a couple of brand-new jump skyhooks, and smashing some vicious, leonine dunks—while the rookie McDonald was stripping clean the exhausted DePaul backcourt as Georgetown's relentless defenders simply turned up the tempo.

Like an electrocution, it was over so very quickly. From 53-51, Georgetown scored those 18 straight points in 6:23. "I was in shock," admitted the beleaguered Patterson. "I didn't think the score could shoot up that fast, or that they could handle us like that."

It could and they did. So what are the effects on the best team when it beats the next best by 20? How does Georgetown fight cockiness now? "Coach will think of a way," Martin said. "He may make us practice eight hours on Christmas."

At least that way the Hoyas will get a game.