Dec. 29, 2007
ATLANTA – Alex Montgomery scored in double-figures for third straight game to lead Georgia Tech (11-1) to a 57-31 win over Chicago State (5-7) in the first round of the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Holiday Tournament at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
Montgomery finished with a team-high 16 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes of action to lead Tech into Sunday’s championship game. Freshman Shaday Woolcock added a career-high eight points and five rebounds in extensive minutes off the bench and Jacqua Williams had six steals help Tech to the victory.
“It was great to see everyone get a chance to play,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “I thought Alex was our catalyst on the offensive end with Chioma (Nnamaka) out. Jacqua Williams set the tone for us on the defensive side of the ball. We look forward to playing for a championship tomorrow.”
Tech’s defense proved to be the difference in the game, holding the Cougars to only 25 percent shooting from the field and forcing them into 23 turnovers. Tech also took advantage at the free-throw line, hitting 12-of-15 for a season-high 80 percent.
The Jackets opened the game only one-of-six from the field but a Montgomery lay-up with 16:22 in the first sparked 19-2 Tech run over the next 10 minutes. Nnamaka knocked down three three-point field goals during the stretch, her only three baskets of the game.
Tech closed out the first half with a 31-13 advantage after holding the Cougars to one basket over the final 6:55 of the half.
With this win, Tech matched its all-time best start to a season, which it set in during the 2002-03 and 2005-06 seasons.
Tech returns to action tomorrow afternoon with a match-up against Kennesaw State in the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Holiday Tournament championship game beginning at 1:30 p.m. The consolation game between Chicago State and Harvard will precede the championship game with an 11:30 a.m. tip.
– RamblinWreck.com –
