Nov. 18, 2005
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) – Anthony Morrow led a balanced attack with 15 points as Georgia Tech’s five new starters rolled to an 80-52 season-opening win over UNC-Asheville Friday night.
Jeremis Smith had 14 points with nine rebounds and center Ra’Sean Dickey added 12 points for Georgia Tech, which had five players score in double figures.
It was Tech’s 12th straight season-opening victory, including 10 straight at home.
Tech lost five seniors and a junior, a group that was responsible for 75.1 percent of the minutes from last season’s 20-win team.
Tech was deep at guard last season with B.J. Elder, Will Bynum and Jarrett Jack. The Yellow Jackets have reloaded with Morrow, Mario West (11 points) and Zam Fredrick starting in a three-guard lineup, and freshman Lewis Clinch (13 points) adding 3-point shooting off the bench.
Chad Mohn led Asheville with 21 points, including 13 in the second half. Oliver Holmes added 12 points.
Asheville returned five starters but looked more like the young team as it struggled to handle Tech’s defensive pressure.
The Bulldogs committed 13 first-half turnovers that set up 18 Tech points.
About five minutes into the game, Hewitt ordered a full-court press, and the move led to a flurry of turnovers that helped the Yellow Jackets score 11 unanswered points for a 23-6 lead.
During the streak, Tech scored seven points in about 10 seconds, forcing turnovers after baskets by Morrow and Smith. Following a 3-pointer by Clinch, Asheville called timeout, but Tech then forced another turnover that set up another basket by Clinch.
