THE FLATS – Fueled by a combined 42 points from Sarah Bates and Eylia Love, Georgia Tech women’s basketball wrapped up preseason play with a dominating 74-53 win over Clayton State Monday night in McCamish Pavilion.
Bates exploded for 18 first-half points, shooting lights out from beyond the arc, going 6-for-8 in the opening 20 minutes to guide the Yellow Jackets to a 44-28 halftime lead. Tech distributed its offense amongst eight Jackets in the first half and forced 12 Lakers’ turnovers, converting the miscues into 12 points. Led by four assists from Lorela Cubaj and three from freshman Elizabete Bulane, the Jackets recorded 11 assists on 15 made field goals in the opening half.
While Bates dominated the first half, teammate Love controlled the second, scoring 13 points in the final 20 minutes to finish with 21 overall. The sophomore from Kansas City, Kansas, went 6-for-10 from the field in the second half. Tech won the battle on the glass in the final two quarters in commanding style, 23-to-12, led by six from Cubaj.
Georgia Tech sophomore Loyal McQueen shoots a three-pointer during Georgia Tech’s exhibition contest against Clayton State. McQueen finished with 10 points on the night.
(Photo by Kyle Hess)
Overall, Tech shot 42.2 percent (27-64) from the field with three finishing in double figures – Bates (21), Love (21) and Loyal McQueen (10). The Jackets won the rebounding battle, 44-to-21, paced by Cubaj who finished with 11 rebounds and nine assists to nearly miss a double-double. Lotta-Maj Lahtinen contributed eight points and five assists as Tech racked up 20 helpers on the night.
Tech saw game action from 11 players, including its three newcomers, in the final preseason tune-up.
Clayton State was led offensively by Hannah Wright and Jadah Waite with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Lakers shot 37.0 percent (17-46) from the floor, but were plagued by 18 turnovers.
Georgia Tech officially opens the season on Nov. 9 visiting Central Michigan for a 6 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
Fifth-year Digna Strautmane (R) and Sarah Bates (L) cheer from the sidelines during Georgia Tech’s exhibition contest against Clayton State. (Photo by Kyle Hess)
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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