Jan. 29, 2006
ATLANTA – Junior Stephanie Higgs and sophomore Chioma Nnamaka combined for 40 points as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (13-7, 2-5 ACC) defeated the visiting Clemson Tigers (8-13, 2-5 ACC), 83-64, Sunday afternoon at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Tech’s 83 points were the most scored in a game this season, and the most for the Yellow Jackets since falling at Maryland, 91-87, on January 15, 2004.
Nnamaka tied a season-high with 22 points, the most scored against an ACC opponent this season, and also recorded four rebounds, an assist and a block, while Higgs had 18 points, half of which come from the charity stripe, where she was a perfect 9-for-9. Also joining Nnamaka and Higgs in double-figures was rookie April Phillips, who scored a career-high 14 points and had five rebounds in the game.
Tech outlasted the Tigers on the boards, pulling down 47 rebounds as compared to Clemson’s 25. The Jackets had 22 offensive boards, and held the Tigers to just six on their end of the court.
The Jackets scored the first eight points of the game and went on a 24-12 run over the first eight minutes to take control of the game. Higgs scored 16 of her points in the first half, while Nnamaka added 13. The Jackets also outrebounded the Tigers, 25-10, in the frame, including a team-high seven boards by sophomore Janie Mitchell. Mitchell finished the game with 11 rebounds.
The Jackets’ largest lead of the first half came with just under two minutes remaining, when Higgs converted a pair of free throws to put the home team up by 22. The Tigers would pull within 16 points four minutes into the second half, but would get no closer, as the Jackets went on a 23-11 run over the next 10 minutes to extend their lead to 28 before eventually winning by 19.
The Jackets will return to action Thursday when they host the Florida State Seminoles at 7 p.m. at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The game can be heard on the Georgia Tech ISP Sports Radio Network, WREK-91.1 FM, and online at www.wrek.org. Livestats for the game will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
