WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by gritty defense and missed opportunities, the Georgetown Hoyas needed overtime to finally subdue a persistent Saint Peter’s team, escaping with a 76-68 victory on Saturday afternoon at Capital One Arena.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 1,622, saw the visiting Peacocks claw back from a seven-point halftime deficit to force the extra period, largely on the strength of a disruptive defense that generated 11 steals. Ultimately, Georgetown’s size and efficiency inside proved decisive, as the Hoyas dominated points in the paint 40-22 and outscored Saint Peter’s 16-8 in overtime to improve to 7-3. The Peacocks fell to 4-5.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation, transforming what seemed like a secure Georgetown lead into a dramatic tie. Trailing 60-56 with under 40 seconds to play, Saint Peter’s guard Bryce Eaton was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to cut the deficit to two. On the ensuing inbound play, Georgetown’s Malik Mack committed a turnover, his fifth of the game, giving the Peacocks life with 33 seconds remaining.

Saint Peter’s capitalized immediately. Eaton was fouled again and again converted both free throws, knotting the score at 60 with 33 seconds on the clock. Georgetown’s final possession of regulation ended in another turnover, this time by KJ Lewis, giving the Peacocks a chance to win. Brent Bland’s three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period belonged entirely to the Hoyas, who seized control from the opening tip. Georgetown center Julius Halaifonua, who finished with 22 points, won the jump ball, and the Hoyas scored the first six points of the extra session. A dunk by Isaiah Abraham and a layup from Jeremiah Williams, who scored all 10 of his points after halftime, quickly established a lead the Peacocks could not challenge. Saint Peter’s managed just eight points in overtime, shooting 2-of-7 from the field, as Georgetown pulled away.

Eaton led all scorers with 23 points for Saint Peter’s, while Brent Bland added 13 and Jahki Gupton contributed 10. The Peacocks’ defense was a constant thorn, forcing 14 Georgetown turnovers and converting them into 13 points. However, offensive struggles plagued Saint Peter’s all night. The team shot just 36.8% from the field and a frigid 24.1% from three-point range. Critical misses at the free throw line, where they went 19-of-29, also hampered their comeback efforts.

For Georgetown, Halaifonua’s 22-point, two-block performance anchored the interior. Caleb Williams provided 14 points and three assists, and the Hoyas’ ball movement, though limited to just three total assists, was effective in exploiting their size advantage. Georgetown shot 48% from the field and attempted 36 free throws, making 24.

The game was a tale of contrasting styles. Saint Peter’s, with its aggressive, perimeter-based defense and reliance on jump shots, kept the contest within reach despite poor shooting. Georgetown, meanwhile, consistently worked the ball inside to Halaifonua and attacked the rim, attempting more than twice as many free throws as the Peacocks. The Hoyas also controlled the glass, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds to Saint Peter’s six.

Georgetown led 31-24 at halftime and maintained a narrow margin throughout much of the second half, but could never deliver a knockout blow against the tenacious Peacocks. Saint Peter’s last lead came at 20-18 in the first half before a 7-0 Georgetown run.

The victory extends Georgetown’s home winning streak and provides momentum heading into a challenging Big East conference slate. Saint Peter’s, despite the loss, demonstrated the defensive resilience that has become its trademark, nearly pulling off a significant road upset against a major conference opponent.