THE FLATS – Kara Dunn etched her named in the Georgia Tech women’s basketball record book on Sunday, scoring a career-high 39 points to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 94-70 victory over Georgia State. Dunn set the tone right out of the gate and led four Jackets in double-figures.
Dunn’s 39 points marks the fourth-highest individual scoring total in school history and most by a Yellow Jacket since 1999 when Niesha Butler dropped 40 points against Florida State (Jan. 2, 1999). The sophomore becomes the second Yellow Jacket this season to score 30-plus points as freshman Rusne Augustinaite scored 30 against Florida on Nov. 29.
Dunn was two points away from matching her career-high through the opening 20 minutes as the Yellow Jacket led all scorers with 20 points in the first half. The teams traded baskets in the early going, both shooting over 50.0 percent with a combined eight three-pointers in the first quarter before the Jackets opened a double-digit lead in the second. Tech (7-3) extended its lead to 45-30 on a D’Asia Thomas-Harris free throw and Tonie Morgan converted a put-back to end the half for a 50-34 lead at intermission.
Dunn hit 30 points with a layup at the 3:01 mark of the third quarter to hand Tech a 72-47 lead. Thomas-Harris hit back-to-back buckets to close the third frame with Tech leading 80-53. Georgia State put together a 6-0 run to open the fourth, but the Yellow Jackets maintained a comfortable lead in the final period to pocket the victory.
Dunn reached her career-high shooting 77.7 percent (14-18) from the field, including an 80 percent efficiency from three-point range, converting a personal-best four three-pointers. Thomas-Harris added 15 points, while Morgan and Kayla Blackshear each contributed 10 points. Blackshear finished with a double-double behind a game-high 11 rebounds, helping the Jackets to a 56-29 win on the glass. Morgan flirted with a triple-double, finishing with nine rebounds and seven assists as Tech recorded a season-high 26 assists on the day.
Georgia State (4-3) was led offensively by Mikyla Tolivert with 23 points and Mya Williams with 10. After shooting 52.9 percent in the first quarter, the Panthers finished the game at 36.4 percent.
The Yellow Jackets return to the hardwood on Saturday, Dec. 16 at in-state rival Georgia. Tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.
Kara Dunn postgame press conference
Head coach Nell Fortner postgame press conference
Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2
Looking to build on the success of last year’s Competitive Drive Initiative, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation and Georgia Tech athletics are partnering once again to launch Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2. CDI Turn 2 has a goal of raising $2.5 million in new gifts to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund by Dec. 31, and Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Foundation will match eligible gifts to accelerate the impact for Tech athletics. Like last year, not only will gifts to CDI Turn 2 be matched, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points. To learn more and contribute online, visit atfund.org/turn2.
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