THE FLATS – Cameron Swartz and Bianca Jackson combined for 27 points to lead Georgia Tech offensively, but it wasn’t enough as the Yellow Jackets dropped its first game of the season to Georgia, 66-52, on Sunday.
In a defensive battle by both teams, Georgia Tech (3-1) held its largest lead of the first half on a pair of free throws from Tonie Morgan at the 6:58 mark of the second quarter for a 21-14 score. Jackson’s bucket at 4:05 gave the Jackets a 24-18 lead, but a scoring drought by the Jackets over the next three minutes allowed the Lady Bulldogs (5-0) to take the lead, 29-24, with an 11-0 run. Jackson hit Tech’s final field goal of the half just under a minute for the 29-26 halftime score.
The Jackets came out of halftime determined and cut its deficit to 33-32 with buckets from Swartz, Jackson and Kayla Blackshear. But Tech couldn’t find a consistent rhythm and Georgia continued to hold a narrow lead, shooting 56.3 percent for the period and led 47-42 entering the fourth quarter. UGA opened a double-digit lead in the final period and held for the 66-52 decision.
Swartz and Jackson once again led the Yellow Jackets, contributing 15 and 12 points, respectively. Tech was out-rebounded for the second-straight game, 47-24. Blackshear paced the Jackets on the glass with seven rebounds. Tech hit 40.4 percent (21-52) from the field.
Georgia was the first opponent this season to shoot over 30.0 percent, hitting a 45.2 percent (28-62) clip. Zoesha Smith led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 10 rebounds. In total, four Lady Bulldogs finished in double-figure scoring numbers. UGA connected on 50.0 percent (10-20) from the free throw line and was held scoreless from three-point range, going 0-for-7.
Georgia Tech hits the road for the next five games starting with a Thanksgiving tournament in Ft. Myers, Fla. The Yellow Jackets will take part in the Gulf Coast Showcase beginning on Friday, Nov. 25 against South Florida at 7:30 p.m. on FloHoops.
Head coach Nell Fortner postgame press conference
Competitive Drive Initiative
In a unified endeavor, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation, Georgia Tech athletics and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund have come together to accelerate funding for student-athlete scholarships with the launch of the Competitive Drive Initiative. The initiative kicks off with the Accelerate GT Match Program, where any new gift to the A-T Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund made through Dec. 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Georgia Tech Foundation, up to $2.5 million. Should Accelerate GT reach its $2.5 million fundraising goal, the matching gift would result in a $5 million impact for Georgia Tech athletics. To learn more and to contribute online, visit atfund.org/accelerate.
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