Jan. 2, 2012
Raleigh, N.C. – Sophomore Tyaunna Marshall finished with 22 points as the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (11-3, 1-0 ACC) opened the conference portion of its schedule with a 76-66 win at NC State (10-4, 0-1 ACC) Monday night at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C.
It was Marshall’s third 20-plus point game of the year and the ninth of her young career. Classmate Dawnn Maye, who was in double digits at intermission, finished with a career-high 17 points and senior point guard Metra Walthour added 11. Senior forward Chelsea Regins came off the bench to finish with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
“I think everyone came out focused and ready to win,” Marshall said. “We were trying to go 1-0 to start ACC play. Everyone came out and stepped up, especially Dawnn, everybody played their role.
“It was important to come in here and play well,” Marshall added. “With ACC play starting, we talked about how focused we needed to be. We told the freshman how tough it was going to be to come in here to NC State or any other ACC place and win. We came out tonight and did it.”
After a back-and-forth opening 10 minutes, the Yellow Jackets put together a 12-2 run to extend their 15-14 lead to 27-16 on a 3-pointer by freshman Sydney Wallace at the 7:59 mark of the first half.
The Jackets held the Pack to only two field goals in the final five minutes of the first half and went into the break with a 40-29 lead. It is the 11th time this season Tech has held an advantage after the opening 20 minutes.
Marshall, who only had seven points in the first half, opened the second half by scoring seven of the Yellow Jackets’ first nine points, putting her in double digits for the 13th time in Tech’s 14 games this year. Tech extended its halftime lead to 15 twice early in the second half.
After Sasha Goodlett’s jumper put the Yellow Jackets up 51-36 with 14:35 to play, NC State trimmed its deficit down to nine in just over a minute of play. A Walthour 3-pointer quickly put the Jackets back up double digits and Tech earned its biggest lead of the night, 19 at 70-51, on a pair of Marshall free throws a few minutes later.
The Pack made a furious, late rally, but it was not enough as Goodlett blocked an Emili Tasler 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. Mo Bennett grabbed the rebound and Tech was able to dribble out the win.
Georgia Tech will have a quick turnaround before a very difficult test when the Yellow Jackets travel to No. 5/5 Maryland for an 8:30 p.m. game Friday, Jan. 5, to be televised on the ACC’s regional sports network. Fans can still get live radio and stats through RamblinWreck.com or here Richard Musterer and Michele Van Gorp on the call on WREK 91.1 FM.
Tech fans can purchase an ACC pack for 2012 Yellow Jacket conference games through RamblinWreck.com where fans can choose any three ACC home games for only $9.
Fans are encouraged to follow us on Twitter, @GTWBB, for instant updates and like us on Facebook, GTWomensBasketball, for a view inside the program.
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