THE FLATS – Georgia Tech women’s basketball distributed its offense and pocketed an 81-50 triumph over USC Upstate on Wednesday afternoon to close out non-conference play. Four Yellow Jackets finished in double-figures to help secure the victory and improve to 9-3 on the season.
Georgia Tech shot 50.0 percent from the field in the first half and held its largest halftime lead of the season with a 44-20 lead at intermission against USC Upstate. The Yellow Jackets took control of the game right out of the gate and opened a double-digit advantage on a Rusne Augustinaite three-pointer at the 4:23 mark of the first quarter, and would lead by as many as 26 points in the first half.
Tech maintained control in the second half, pushing its lead out to as many as 38 points. Aixa Wone Aranaz got the final period started with a pair of back-to-back jumpers, while Jada Bediako also contributed four points in the fourth. Tech saw 15 points of the final quarter come off the bench and 28 points overall for the game.
The Jackets, led by Augustinaite with 14 points, shot 47.1 percent for the game and scored 42 points in the paint. Tonie Morgan added 13 points, while Inés Noguero and Kara Dunn each contributed 10. Morgan just missed a double-double with eight rebounds as Tech won the battle on the glass, 42-29.
Isabell West led USC Upstate with 12 points and eight rebounds. AC Markham also secured eight boards for the Spartans, who shot 35.2 percent for the game. Upstate committed 23 turnovers to match the season-high by an opponent.
The Yellow Jackets break for the holiday season and return to action to open Atlantic Coast Conference play at Florida State on Dec. 29. Tip is slated for 2 p.m. in the Donald L. Tucker Center and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
Freshman Rusne Augustinaite meets with media postgame
Head coach Nell Fortner postgame press conference
Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2
Looking to build on the success of last year’s Competitive Drive Initiative, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation and Georgia Tech athletics are partnering once again for Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2. Initially launched on Nov. 7, CDI Turn 2 has reached its initial goal of raising $2.5 million in new gifts to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund and has a new goal of raising $3 million in new gifts to the A-T Fund by Dec. 31. Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Foundation will match eligible gifts to accelerate the impact for Tech athletics and, like last year, not only will gifts to CDI Turn 2 be matched, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points. To learn more and contribute online, visit atfund.org/turn2.
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