THE FLATS – In the final preseason tune-up for the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team, five Yellow Jackets chipped in double-figures as Tech rolled past Coastal Georgia, 95-46, on Sunday in McCamish Pavilion.
How It Happened
Georgia Tech shook off a slow start as Coastal Georgia opened grabbing a six-point lead in the early going, but the Jackets closed the opening stanza on an 8-0 run to lead 17-15 at the break. Tech broke things open in the second quarter, outscoring the Mariners 28-5, fueled by eight points from freshman Elizabeth Balogun, who finished with 17 points on the afternoon. CCG made its final offensive play of the first half with 2:55 left on the clock as Tech headed into the locker room owning a 45-20 lead.
The Jackets continued to pull away in the second half, leading by as many as 49 points in the exhibition contest.
Tech saw scoring from 11 different players and 13 total took the floor on Sunday. All six freshmen took the court ahead of Friday’s regular-season opener and combined for 43 points and 18 rebounds. Of the five Jackets to finish in double-figure scoring were Tech’s two McDonald’s All-Americans, Balogun and Elizabeth Dixon who finished with 17 and 13 points, respectively.
The team’s leading returning scorer from last season, Francesca Pan posted 17 points, while Lorela Cubaj added 17. For the game, the Jackets shot 51.3 percent (40-78) and won the battle on the glass, 45-27. Anne Francoise Diouf led the Jackets on the boards, collecting a team-best nine rebounds.
“I thought it was great to get the first game gitters out,” commented head coach MaChelle Joseph. “I thought we started out really slow, especially on the defensive end. I think the game was being played a little faster than we anticipated and we didn’t get back several times in transition defense. We definitely have some things we need to work on moving forward. But I was pleased with the way we shared the basketball. To have five players in double-figures in November, that gives me a lot to be excited about.”
Next Up
Georgia Tech officially opens the 2018-19 season on the road on Friday, Nov. 9 at Houston. Tip is slated for 8 p.m. EST.
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