THE FLATS – The Yellow Jackets cut it to five points late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a strong start from Auburn as No. 18 Georgia Tech dropped its first game of the season Sunday afternoon, 59-51.
Shooting struggles plagued the Jackets (4-1) in the first half, allowing Auburn to build its lead out to as many as 20 points and hold a 33-16 lead at halftime. After shooting 25.0 percent from the field in the opening two frames, Tech came out and dominated the third quarter, outscoring Auburn 21-11, slowing trimming its deficit. Tech shot 47.1 percent from the field in the third, going 4-for-7 from the free throw line and committing only one turnover. Auburn was held to a 33.3 percent shooting clip with no attempts at the charity stripe as Tech cut the score to 44-37 entering the final quarter.
While Auburn shot only 27.3 percent in the final quarter, the Tigers converted 9-of-12 free throw attempts to hold off Tech’s rally. The Jackets would cut the score to five points, 56-51, but could not overcome the Tigers at the free throw line.
Lotta-Maj Lahtinen and Nerea Hermosa both finished in double-figures, contributing 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tech won the battle on the glass for the fifth time this season, 39-29, paced by nine rebounds from Hermosa.
Honesty Scott-Grayson led all scorers with 18 points, followed by Aicha Coulibaly with 14. The Tigers went 10-for-14 at the free throw line (71.4 percent), while Tech finished 11-of-19 (57.9 percent).
The Yellow Jackets return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 24, welcoming Hofstra for a midweek tilt. Tip is slated for noon on ACC Network Extra.
Head coach Nell Fortner postgame press conference
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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