January 2, 2022

Jackets Drop Nail-Biter to Louisville, 67-64

Box Score Game Book/Play-by-Play Photo Gallery Multimedia Postgame Notes

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech men’s basketball mustered a late rally to climb within one, but wasn’t be able to retake the lead, falling 67-64 to Louisville on Sunday night at McCamish Pavilion.

A cold spell in the second half that led to nearly five minutes without a basket dug the Yellow Jackets (6-6, 0-2 ACC) an eight-point hole, but Tech then returned the favor with nearly three-and-a-half minutes of scoreless ball to close, stopping the Cardinals (9-4, 3-0 ACC) and keeping them in the game.

Michael Devoe led the game in scoring, pouring in 23 points, while Jordan Usher recorded 17 of his own to go along with a team-high six rebounds. Kyle Sturdivant also finished in double figures with 14.

Louisville was led by forward Malik Williams, who turned in a double-double – 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Georgia Tech continues conference action when it heads on the road to take on Duke on Tuesday, Jan. 4. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network.

Michael Devoe (0 – above) led the way with a game-high 23 points for Georgia Tech. (photo by Danny Karnik)

Post-Game Notes

Georgia Tech played for the first time in 12 days (OT win over Georgia State on Dec. 21).
Ten Tech players have seen action in each of the Yellow Jackets’ last two games. Tech had played no more than nine in its first 10 games with the exception of its blowout win over Stetson (11).
Tech committed less than 10 turnovers (9 vs. Louisville) for the second time in three games (twice this season), and had more assists (11) than turnovers for just the fifth time this season.
Tech’s 46.3 percent shooting from the floor has been its best rate over its last seven games. The Jackets have not shot better than 41.5 percent in any of the other six (41.1 vs. Louisville).
Tech has made 18 threes in its last two games after connecting on 20 in the four games prior. The Jackets are 18-for-46 combined (.391) in its last two games, and 15-for-40 combined (.375) in its two ACC games.
Tech has averaged 8.2 steals over its last five games after pilfering an average of 6.6 over the first seven.
Tech has been outrebounded in four of its last five games and has been beaten on the boards in its two ACC games by an average of 10.5.
Sophomore Jordan Meka made his first collegiate start against Louisville Sunday night, logging 20:15 with four rebounds, two points (his first collegiate points) and two blocks. The 6-8 Meka, who has just four career games under his belt (one in 2020-21, three this season) got the not after Saba Gigiberia (protocols) and Rodney Howard (ankle injury) were unable to play. He played 21 minutes off the bench in the Jackets’ most recent game against Georgia State (seven rebounds, two blocked shots).
Bubba Parham made his first appearance for this season for the Yellow Jackets against Louisville, entering the game at 16:52 of the first half and playing 14:39. He missed the first month and a half after preseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, then entered health and safety protocols.
Jordan Usher has scored in double digits eight times in 12 games this season (17 vs. Louisville), and has done so in four straight games after missing in the three previous games. The senior has averaged 18.3 points over the last four games (24-48 FG, 10-18 3pt FG).
Michael Devoe has scored 20 or more points six times this season (game-high 23 vs. Louisville) and has reached double figures in 20 of his last 21 games. Devoe has reached double figures in points 69 times in his career. He has scored 20 or more points 26 times.
Devoe has hit a 3 in his last 21 straight games dating back to last Feb. 10 vs. Virginia. The 2021 ACC Tournament MVP made at least one in 23 of 26 games last season, including the final 10 in a row.
Devoe moved past Bobby Kimmel (1,363 pts from 1957-59) into 23^rd place in all-time scoring at Georgia Tech. The senior now has 1,382. Marvin Lewis (2000-04) holds 22^nd place with 1,396 points.
Kyle Sturdivant has four double-figure scoring games this season after tallying 14 against Louisville. The junior guard had scored 17 against Charleston Southern, 11 against Georgia Southern and 12 against Georgia State. It was his fifth double-digit game in a Tech uniform (17 last season vs. Kentucky). Against Louisville, he played 25:34 without committing a turnover.