GW bows out in A10's first round

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Colonials sent packing.

March 10, 2011 - Tuesday night George Washington hosted St. Joseph’s in first round Atlantic 10 Tournament action, with the Colonials been seated fifth, visiting St. Joes, 12th. Never before had a five gone down to 12 in A10 tourney history. That has changed, as GW fell to the Hawks 71-59 in overtime.

Though that dubious distinction exists, the Colonials should hold their heads high: Down 20-31 at intermission, by 14 with 11:19 to go, Karl Hobbs' team used a morphing 1-3-1 defense to choke off St. Joe's offense, while getting 21 second half half points from junior guard Tony Taylor, who finished with 22 and six assists. 'G-Dub', as the Colonial faithful call their team, finished the stanza on a 20-6 run, forcing overtime at 49.

It was there their luck changed, partly because of fatigue - Taylor was used in pick and roll and 1-4 sets, tiring utilization indeed, while the team as a whole scrambled for the half - and a defensive change by St. Joes; their coach, Phil Martelli, used a zone in which four players zoned and one shadowed Taylor, essentially a box and one.
The confluence of these factors saw Hobbs' crew be outscored 22-10 in the extra period, with eight of their points being attributed to Taylor.

Taylor was a second half, offensive force. (Barron)

Only junior guard Aaron Ware (10 points, four rebounds) joined Taylor win double figure scoring, while two players, sophomore swingman Dwayne Smith and freshman forward Nemanja Mikic contributed eight points, six rebounds and eight points, three boards, respectively.

GW (17-14) shot 26.7% from three point land and 35.7% overall during a loss that eliminated s them from A10 postseason/league title and NCAA Tournament consideration, though NIT and/or CBI postseason possibilities remain.

St. Joes got double figure scoring from their five starters: Freshman guard Langston Galloway (15 points, five rebounds) along with first year guys forward C.J. Aiken (11 points, four rebounds, five blocks) and forward Ron Roberts Jr., (10 points). Sophomore guard Carl Jones finished with 12 points and six rebounds, while the grizzled vet of Martelli's bunch, senior forward Idris Hilliard, contributed 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.

The Hawks, who finished with a 52.3% shooting clip overall, 26.7% from three point land while using primarily a four-around-one offensive set, head on to Atlantic City, site of the conclusion of its tourney's action. There, St. Joes (10-21) take on Duquesne (slotted fourth), in quarterfinal play.

To hear Hobbs and Taylor discuss the game, including fatigues impact and strategy, click here.

Martelli talked liberally about strategy, the crowd and other topics. Click here for his post game session.