Nov. 16, 2006
Atlanta – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team defeated Georgia State, 83-41 Friday in a tremendous defensive display holding their opponent under 35 percent from the field for the third consecutive game. The Panthers only shot 24.6 percent from the field Thursday
The 42-point victory landed the 2006-07 Jackets in the Tech record books, marking the first time in school history a team has defeated their first three opponents of the season by 25 points or more. Tech is coming off a 26-point road victory over Appalachian State and defeated Mercer in the season opener by 39 points. Thursday’s win was Tech’s largest margin of victory since a 72-30 win over Georgia State on Nov. 19, 2004.
Senior Stephanie Higgs put up impressive numbers Friday, amassing 28 points, 20 of which came in the first half. Thursday’s team-high for Higgs is the highest of her career since a 30-point effort vs. Samford in her sophomore season. Higgs was 10-for-16 from the field and pulled down three rebounds.
Junior co-captain Janie Mitchell had a record night Thursday, earning the team’s only double-double, grabbing 14 points and 14 boards, with 10 of those rebounds coming in the first half. Mitchell’s previous high was 13 rebounds against San Diego last season. Mitchell’s 14 points was second on the team for the night, followed by fellow co-captain Chioma Nnamaka with nine points. No other Jackets rebounded in double digits.
“I thought Janie Mitchell set the tone for toughness early in the game,” said head coach MaChelle Joseph. “I think that our leadership with our veteran players has been instrumental in these first three games and our girls are excited about the challenge of playing these next few tough teams.”
Georgia State’s leading scorer was Danyielle McKellar with 16 points. Rashay Rawls led the Panthers in rebounds with 11.
Tech hits the road to face the Temple Owls Monday at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia, Penn. The series record between the two schools is tied at one. Monday’s game will mark Tech’s first trip to the Liacouras Center and their first meeting with Temple since 1998.
