Dec. 19, 2017
Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
ATHENS, Ga. – Despite 21 points from Josh Okogie in just his second game of the season, Georgia Tech men’s basketball was unable to overcome hot-shooting Georgia as it fell 80-59 on Tuesday night at Stegeman Coliseum.
Okogie’s 10th-career game with 20 or more points paced the Yellow Jackets (5-5), just slightly ahead of Tadric Jackson‘s 17 points – 13 of which came in the first half. Freshman Jose Alvarado rounded out Tech’s double-digit scorers with 12, while Ben Lammers led all rebounders with eight total.
The Bulldogs (8-2) were led by Yante Maten, who finished with 24 points and six rebounds.
Georgia Tech actually outshot UGA slightly in the first half, shooting 50 percent to their 48.3, but still faced a two-point deficit after committing eight costly first-half turnovers. The Bulldogs then jumped out of the halftime gates in the second half, hitting eight of their first nine shots to extend the lead.
UGA won two key battles on the night, outrebounding Tech 34-26 and hitting nine three-pointers compared to Tech’s two.
The Yellow Jackets would try to make a run late, forcing four turnovers in just a two-and-a-half minute span, but a 10-0 Georgia run and Tech’s cold 1-of-7 finish from the field put away the game.
COACH PASTNER SAID: “You have to give Georgia credit with that second half. They just kicked our butts in the second half. They really punched us in the mouth and kept punching us and we didn’t respond real well. Obviously, first and foremost as I’ve always said, the loss falls squarely on my shoulders. Obviously, I didn’t do a good enough job getting our guys going on what we needed to do but we’ll need to continue to get better. I thought in the second half our defense failed us and then I thought we played selfishly offensively. We had five assists on 22 made field goals. We have to get Ben Lammers back to being Ben. Our entire defensive scheme is centered around him. Now, I’m not blaming him, there’s no blame on him … We have to get him back to how he was playing against UCLA.”
UP NEXT: The Yellow Jackets return home to McCamish Pavilion, playing host to Wright State on Dec. 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team is in its second year under head coach Josh Pastner. Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, won three ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993), played in the NCAA Tournament 16 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBB) and Instagram.
For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com . Tickets for men’s basketball can be purchased here .
