Feb. 26, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Jarrett Jack scored 21 points, including eight in a row to launch a second-half run that gave his team the lead for good, and Georgia Tech rallied past Miami 76-72 Saturday.
Will Bynum went 7-for-7 from the line in the final 2 minutes, sinking three straight to put Georgia Tech ahead to stay. Jack clinched the win by hitting two free throws with 8 seconds left.
The Yellow Jackets (16-9, 7-7 Atlantic Coast Conference), who lost in the NCAA tournament championship game last season, needed the comeback to help their chances of earning a berth this season. The Hurricanes (16-10, 7-8) likely must win their final regular-season game Thursday at No. 7 Duke to receive an at-large bid.
Georgia Tech trailed 59-51 with 8 minutes left and responded by running off 12 consecutive points, with Jack scoring the first eight. Jeremis Smith sank a follow to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 63-59.
After Miami’s Robert Hite tied the game with a follow, Bynum sank three free throws, and Jack’s 3-pointer made the score 69-63.
The Hurricanes missed four consecutive free throws down the stretch, including the front end of two one-and-ones, and they made only three field goals in the final 9 minutes. When a layup attempt by Guillermo Diaz rolled out as he was fouled with 35 seconds left, he pounded the floor with his fist in frustration.
Diaz had 24 points and four steals but also six turnovers. Hite went 0-for-6 in the first half but finished with 20 points for Miami.
B.J. Elder scored 15 points for the Yellow Jackets. Ra’Sean Dickey and Anthony Morrow added 12 each.
Stymied at the start by a Miami zone, Georgia Tech missed 11 of its first 13 shots and trailed 20-10 after 11{ minutes. Anthony Morrow came off the bench to sink four 3-pointers in a span of just over three minutes to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 24-23.
Georgia Tech sank consecutive layups off turnovers to lead 31-28, but a follow by Diaz with one second left in the first half put Miami ahead 33-31. Hite scored eight consecutive points to put the Hurricanes ahead 43-34.
STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
