After GW’s game with the Hokies, Carl Elliott wasn’t exactly sure in which league Virginia Tech plays. He also wasn’t certain who gave him the nickname “Big Shot Elliott.” But he was aware that he was in a slump and GW was facing the reality of a losing streak for the first time in nearly two years.

He knew exactly what to do for that.

Elliott knocked down two free throws with seven seconds remaining in the game to beat the Hokies and help GW improve to 5-1 on the season. Elliott is not a stranger to pressure, as his late game heroics have helped the Colonials to big wins in the past. He hit a half-court shot to sink Dayton in Ohio in 2005 and, most famously, put back a Noel Wilmore miss to beat Charlotte on senior day last season.

This time, Elliott was able to propel GW to victory amidst a personal slump. In the last three games, he has been offensively anemic after scoring more than 25 points in both of the first two games. Staying focused and positive when his play has been down has been difficult, Elliott said.

“You have those games where you’re not in the game. You have a little stretch where you’re not having a good few games. You can’t let it get you down; you have to bounce back. Every day in practice the coaches are talking to me, telling me to stay focused.”

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native got his feel back and went 4-for-9 from the floor for a game-high 16 points but getting to the point where he could feel comfortable shooting again was a challenge.

“It’s pretty tough because you’re worrying about missing and you’re worrying about being too aggressive and getting fouls,” Elliott said.

Elliott was able to step out of the traditional role of the point guard and helped fill the void of an underperforming frontcourt. He was second on the team in rebounding, pulling down seven, including one off the offensive board.

Moore dresses

Sophomore Cheyenne Moore, who has been sidelined all season with a fractured left tibia, dressed Sunday but did not play. The Clemson transfer practiced lightly this week, Karl Hobbs said, but is not expected to play Tuesday against Maryland Eastern Shore.

Elliott said Moore plays a lot like former GW swingman Danilo (J.R.) Pinnock.

“He’s going to bring that aggressiveness that we already have, he’s going to add onto it,” Elliott said. “He’s going to bring more scoring. He’s going to be a good addition when he gets healthy.”

Frontcourt steps up, Dokun stays down

GW’s much-maligned frontcourt was able to regain some semblance of consistency Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Rob Diggs went 5-for-6 from the floor for 13 points after failing to score against Providence Nov. 26. Diggs pulled down four rebounds but also turned the ball over as much. Senior Regis Koundjia got 11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive boards, in addition to his 10 points.

Senior Dokun Akingbade played 11 minutes after collecting two fouls in the first three minutes of the game. Akingbade, GW’s only center, had two points, two rebounds and a turnover.

Hobbs said Akingbade’s quick fouls were discomfiting.

“It worried me because (Akingbade) had two, Robert Diggs also had a quick two,” Hobbs said. “You’re sitting there at halftime and both those guys have early fouls.”

Celebs turn out for Colonials

GW alumnus and Washington Nationals pitcher Mike O’Connor and Washington Wizards guard Caron Butler watched the Colonials beat Virginia Tech. Butler played for Hobbs when he was an assistant at the University of Connecticut.