On March 5th, 1985, one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history took place during the Big East Conference Championship game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
With just seconds left on the clock and the game tied at 69-69, Georgetown's star player, Patrick Ewing, found himself double-teamed near the baseline. In a moment of brilliance, Ewing spun away from the defenders and threw up a miraculous one-handed shot from the corner. The ball sailed through the air, hitting nothing but net as the buzzer sounded, giving Georgetown a thrilling 71-69 victory and their third Big East Tournament title.
The shot instantly became known as "The Shot" and cemented Patrick Ewing's status as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. Ewing finished the game with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots, a performance that earned him the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
The 1985 Georgetown Hoyas, coached by the legendary John Thompson Jr., went on to reach the National Championship game that year, where they ultimately lost to the Villanova Wildcats in one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history. However, Ewing's incredible buzzer-beater in the Big East Championship game remains one of the most memorable moments in college basketball history and a testament to his skill, clutch performance, and enduring legacy in the sport.
