Dec. 30, 2007
ATLANTA – Janie Mitchell finished with a game-high 24 points to lead Georgia Tech (12-1) to an 83-68 win over in-state rival Kennesaw State (5-7) in the championship game of the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Holiday Tournament on Sunday afternoon.
Freshman Alex Montgomery was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Performer after finishing with a career-high 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Montgomery also registered three blocks and three steals as she continues to develop as an all-around threat for the Jackets.
“I am so proud of the way our team played defensively in this tournament,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “I thought Alex was outstanding and Janie came up big today on the offensive side of the ball.”
Senior Jill Ingram stepped into the starting lineup for an injured Chioma Nnamaka to finish with nine points, four steals and three assists. Freshman Iasia Hemingway added nine points and three rebounds for the Jackets.
“It was great to see our kids step up without Chioma in the lineup,” Joseph said. “I know this will make us a better team down the road.”
Kennesaw State was led by Britteny Henderson, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Gia Lockett added 15 points before fouling out in a losing effort.
The Jackets scored the final 12 points of the first half to open up a 42-20 halftime lead. With nine seconds remaining, Deja Foster grabbed a rebound off an Owls missed shot and quickly passed it out to Montgomery, who found a streaking Mitchell under the basket for a last second basket.
The Owls improved in the second half, outscoring the Jackets 48-41 but Tech’s aggressive attack led to a season-high 43 free throw attempts to hold off the Kennesaw comeback attempt.
Mitchell was joined by Henderson, Katie Rollins of Harvard and the Chicago State duo of Alyssa Waldon and Jasmin Dixon on the 2007 Holiday Invitational All-Tournament Team.
The Jackets will return to action in 2008 in search of the program’s 450th victory against Jackson State on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Jackets final game before the start of their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule.
– RamblinWreck.com –
