Feb. 14, 2016
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Box Score (PDF)
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (15-11, 5-8) had five players score in double-figures as the Yellow Jackets took down Clemson (4-21, 0-12) 77-48 at McCamish Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.
“It was a great thing to see so many people score in double figures tonight,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “I don’t think we’ve had a game this year where we’ve had five players in double figures. I thought the younger kids are starting to get better.”
How it Happened
The opening seven minutes of the game stayed close between the two teams until Georgia Tech strung together a 9-2 run to pull ahead 21-12 with 28 seconds left in the first period. Georgia Tech continued to build on its lead, extending it to double-digits at the 8:32 mark in the second period, 25-15. The Yellow Jackets held on to a double-digit advantage and held Clemson to without a field goal for 2:50 while going ahead 40-23 with 1:16 to go until the half.
Sophomore Zaire O’Neil led the Jackets in the first half, scoring 10 points while going 6-for-6 from the free throw line. The Yellow Jackets shot 100 percent from the charity stripe (13-for-13) in the first half on their way to a 42-29 halftime lead.
The Yellow Jackets were ahead on the scoreboard by double figures until the 7:46 mark in the third period, when the Tigers climbed back to make it, 46-34. It wasn’t too close for long for back-to-back 3-pointers from junior Katarina Vuckovic gave the Yellow Jackets back its double-digit advantage, 53-38. . Georgia Tech continued to stretch its lead and took its largest advantage of the night, 29 points, with 15 seconds left in the game, 77-48.
Team Effort
Five Yellow Jackets scored in double figures, three Jackets grabbed at least seven rebounds and three Jackets handed out at least three assists in tonight’s win. Senior Aaliyah Whiteside scored a team-high 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds and handing out five assists. Junior Katarina Vuckovic, sophomore Antonia Peresson and sophomore Zaire O’Neil each scored 12 points. Vuckovic led the Jackets with eight rebounds and senior Roddreka Rogers pulled down seven boards while scoring 10 points. Freshman Ciani Cryor handed out a career-high six assists and tied her career-high four steals while scoring eight points against Clemson.
Inside the Box Score
The Yellow Jackets dominated the glass, outrebounding Clemson, 42-26. It was the 16th time this season that Tech has won the rebounding battle and the Jackets are 11-5 when outrebounding their opponent. Georgia Tech also had an impressive showing at the free throw line against Clemson. The Jackets shot 91.3 percent (21-23) from the charity stripe, including going 100 percent (13-13) in the first half. Four Yellow Jackets shot 100 percent from the foul line against the Tigers – O’Neil (6-6), Vuckovic (4-4), Rogers (2-2) and Tilford (4-4).
Rogers vs. The Tigers
Senior Roddreka Rogers has had some of her best games in a Yellow Jacket uniform against Clemson. Over her nine career games against the Tigers, Rogers has averaged 10.6 points and 11.7 rebounds. Today against the Tigers, she scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds. In her nine career games, she has had five double-doubles against the Tigers.
Moving Through The Record Book
- With her seven rebounds against Clemson, Roddreka Rogers has 899 career rebounds and is in third on Georgia Tech’s all-time rebounding list. She is just one rebound away from becoming the third Yellow Jacket in women’s basketball history to have at least 900 career rebounds. Dolores Bootz is second on the all-time list with 978 career rebounds.
- After scoring 13 points against the Tigers, Aaliyah Whiteside has 1,462 career points and is ninth on Georgia Tech’s all-time scoring list. Whiteside needs 95 more points to tie Joyce Pierce for eighth with 1,557 career points.
- Whiteside became the all-time leader in career free throws against Boston College. Tonight she went 5-for-6 from the foul line and has 460 career made free throws. Heading into tonight’s game, Whiteside ranked second in the nation in career free throws made.
- Whiteside is also 10th on Georgia Tech’s all-time 3-pointers made list with 102 made 3-pointers in her career.
Tech Tidbits
- This was the 77th all-time meeting between Georgia Tech and Clemson, making the Tigers Georgia Tech’s most frequently played opponent. The Tigers lead the all-time series 43-34 but the Jackets have won six-straight and 21 of the past 23 meetings.
- The Yellow Jackets held the Tigers to under 50 points tonight marking the sixth game this season the Tech has held its opponent to 50 points or less.
- Whiteside has now scored in double-figures in 32 out of the past 33 games, dating back to last season.
- Sophomore Antonia Peresson made four 3-pointers against Clemson, marking her eighth game this season marking at least three 3-pointers. She has made a shot from behind the 3-point line in 21 out of 26 games this season.
Next Up
Georgia Tech is back on the road today for two-straight games, heading to Duke on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. and then to Pitt on Thursday, Feb. 25th at 7 p.m. on ESPN3.
–TogetherWeSwarm–
