November 21, 2014

Cox's 15 Leads Tech Over IPFW, 78-69

Nov. 21, 2014

Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | GT Photo Gallery

ATLANTA (AP) – Brian Gregory likes to call the end of close games “winning time.” His Yellow Jackets are living up to that name.

Demarco Cox had 15 points and seven rebounds Georgia Tech improved to 3-0 for the third straight season with a 78-69 victory over IPFW on Friday night.

It was the second time this season Georgia Tech was tested down the stretch. Against Georgia in the season-opener, the Jackets were able to close out a tight game against their in-state rival, and against IPFW, Georgia Tech stretched out a close game in the final eight minutes.

“I’m pleased that we won the game and we figured out a way to make some key baskets during winning time,” Gregory said. “Now we move on and try to emphasize some of the small areas we need to improve on.”

Clinging to a one-point lead with 7:02 to play, Georgia Tech put together a 12-1 run to take control of a game Georgia Tech never trailed but could never stretch out. Quinton Stephens – who also made clutch baskets in Georgia Tech’s season-opener – had two jumpers during the decisive stretch, which gave the Jackets a 70-58 lead with 3:53 to play.

“We ran a lot of great sets in the last eight minutes and we executed,” said Marcus Georges-Hunt, who had 13 points and a key 3-pointer during the run. “Quinton and I knocked down some shots.”

Stephens had 13 points and 10 rebounds, though Gregory emphasized there is improvement needed for the sophomore on the defensive end.

“He was good on offense tonight,” Gregory said.

Big man Steve Forbes led IPFW (2-1) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, though he was held to 6-for-16 shooting from the floor. Mo Evans chipped in 16 points, including three 3-pointers.

“I thought we played well at times,” Forbes said. “I didn’t play particularly well myself.”

The Mastodons pulled to within one point three times in the second half. Evans played a big part, scoring 13 of his 16 points after halftime.

Georgia Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game and maintained a steady lead throughout the first half. Josh Heath closed the first 20 minutes with a buzzer-beating floater in the lane that gave the Jackets a 32-26 lead. Georgia Tech held IPFW to 32 percent shooting in the first half.