Dec. 17, 2017
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THE FLATS – Behind a career game from freshman forward Moses Wright, Georgia Tech basketball (5-4, 0-0 ACC) cruised by Florida A&M (1-13, 0-0 MEAC) 79-54 in McCamish Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.
Wright, who made 8 of 9 shots from the floor, also had 19 points as the Yellow Jackets handed the Rattlers their ninth straight loss. Sophomore guard Josh Okogie, a preseason second-team All-ACC choice, scored 19 points in his first game of the season and Tech snapped a three-game losing streak.
Georgia Tech scored the game’s first 10 points and led 35-22 at halftime as senior guard Tadric Jackson, who scored 11 points, went 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc.
The Yellow Jackets broke the game open with a 19-0 second-half run that gave them a 59-29 lead with 11 minutes to play.
Okogie was suspended the first six games of the season by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits and stayed sidelined further because the open dislocation of his left index finger suffered in an exhibition game became infected.
Freshman Curtis Haywood had started in place of Okogie, but he wasn’t available against Florida A&M because of a shin injury. Okogie led the Yellow Jackets in scoring 16.1 points per game last season and made the ACC All-Freshman team.
Isaiah Martin, a 7-foot junior center, led Florida A&M with 14 points. Justin Ravenel and Bryce Moragne each scored 10.
Georgia Tech hadn’t played since a 63-60 loss at Wofford on Dec. 6.
BIG PICTURE
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets, who were upset by Grambling State and Wofford during their three-game losing streak, have three games to get in synch before the start of ACC play on Dec. 31 at Notre Dame. In addition to Georgia Tech being without Okogie, senior center Ben Lammers has been missing practice time because of a sore ankle. Lammers had six points and eight rebounds against Florida A&M.
Florida A&M: The Rattlers finished 7-21 last season and the MEAC school has struggled in coach Robert McCullam’s first season against a rugged schedule that has included Miami, Texas, Mississippi State and UNLV. FAMU’s only victory was 77-59 over NCAA Division II Albany State on Nov. 20.
UP NEXT
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets try to snap a two-game losing streak to rival Georgia as they play the Bulldogs on Tuesday in Athens. Georgia won 60-43 last year in Atlanta.
Florida A&M: The Rattlers go to New York City to play Fordham on Thursday. Just two of FAMU’s 16 games in November and December are at home.
