Jan. 17, 2016
Box Score (PDF)
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (11-8, 1-5) suffered a 78-67 defeat to Virginia (13-6, 3-2) on Sunday afternoon at McCamish Pavilion.
“Obviously we are disappointed,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “You can’t win a game with one player. Virginia shot 65 percent in the second half. When a team is shooting 65 percent, it’s hard to beat them. Give Virginia credit, I thought their guards did a heck of a job coming in here and making plays. We just weren’t able to make shots and their guards made shots. That’s what it came down to.”
How it Happened
The Yellow Jackets found themselves in a hole early after Virginia opened up the game shooting 7-for-8 from the floor on its way to an 18-7 lead. However, Tech didn’t stay behind long, using a 10-2 run to cut its deficit to three points, 20-17. The run was highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from sophomore Antonia Peresson.
The Yellow Jackets came alive in the second period, outscoring the Cavaliers 11-4 over 3:50 to take their first lead of the game, 28-26. Virginia took back the lead 34-32, with 2:12 left in the first half, but senior Roddreka Rogers went on her own 5-0 run to close out the quarter and put Tech ahead 37-34 heading into halftime. Senior Aaliyah Whiteside scored 11 points in the first half, marking her 12th time this season scoring in double digits before the half.
The lead bounced back and forth during the third period with Virginia escaping with a one point lead, 54-53, heading into the fourth period.
The Cavaliers extended their lead to 63-54, after opening the fourth period outscoring the Yellow Jackets, 9-1. A three point play from Whiteside would get the Jackets within 11, 72-61, with 3:28 left but Virginia kept Tech at a distance and handed the Jackets their second loss at home this season, 78-67.
The Streak Continues
Senior Aaliyah Whiteside has scored in double figures in 25 out of the past 26 games, dating back to last season. This season, she has hit the double digit mark before half time in 12 out of 19 games including tonight against Virginia. She scored 11 of her 27 points in the first half, helping Tech to a 37-34 lead at halftime.
It was Whiteside’s 14th game this season scoring at least 21 points and her 21st time in her career. Her 14 20+ point games are a league-high and she leads the ACC in scoring with her 21.3 points per game average. It was her fourth game this season scoring at least 25 points.
Inside the Box Score
Whiteside led the Yellow Jackets on offense with her 27 points and fellow senior Rogers scored in double figures, tallying 11 points. Rogers tied for the team high with seven rebounds. Freshman Chelseas Guimarares also had seven rebounds and scored eight points. For the second-straight game, freshman Ciani Cryor led the Jackets with five assists. Georgia Tech held the advantage on the boards for the 11th time this season, outrebounding Virginia 36-35.
Moving Through The Record Book
- With her 27 points against Virginia, Whiteside moved up one spot on Georgia Tech’s all-time scoring list with 1,340 career points to 13th. She is 24 points from surpassing Fallon Stoke’s 1,363 career points for 12th.
- Whiteside is now 17 made free throws away from become Tech’s all-time leader in made free throws. She has made 414 in her career and the school record is held by Joyce Pierce (430).
- Senior Roddreka Rogers now has sole ownership of fifth on Tech’s all-time rebounding list with 844 career rebounds. She needs six more rebounds to tie Tyaunna Marshall for fourth.
Tech Tidbits
- This was the 70th all-time meeting between Georgia Tech and Virginia. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 54-16.
- Whiteside scored at least 21 points for the 14th time this season and 21st time in her career. She leads the ACC in scoring with her 21.3 points per game scoring average.
- Whiteside has now scored in double-figures in 25 out of the past 26 games, dating back to last season.
Next Up
Georgia Tech hits the road next Sunday, January 24, traveling to Clemson at 2 p.m. at Jervey Gym on ESPN3.
–TogetherWeSwarm–
