LINCOLN, Neb. – Kara Dunn and Tonie Morgan combined to score 44 points, but they couldn’t pull Georgia Tech out on top as the Yellow Jackets dropped an 80-72 decision at Nebraska on Saturday. Georgia Tech led at halftime, but couldn’t hold on, falling to 5-3 overall on the season.
It was a tale of two halves on Saturday as Georgia Tech held a 10-point halftime lead, but Nebraska (6-2) shot 75.9 percent (22-29) in the second half to come-from-behind. The Cornhuskers hit eight three-pointers in the final 20 minutes and led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Dunn sent the Yellow Jackets into the locker room with a 32-22 halftime lead after launching a half-court shot that dropped in for a thrilling end to the half. Dunn put together a solid first half, leading all scorers with 13 points, and handed Georgia Tech its first lead of the game on an old-fashioned three-point play at 8:13 in the second quarter. The Jackets opened the second period stringing together a 9-2 run to lead 21-18 and closed the half with seven unanswered from Dunn and Morgan for the halftime lead.
But Nebraska outscored Georgia Tech, 58-40, in the second half to capture the comeback win. Early in the third quarter, the Jackets expanded their lead to 42-27 off a Rusne Augustinaite three-pointer, but the Huskers answered with a 28-12 run to close the frame and led 55-54 off a three-pointer from Jaz Shelley with seconds left in the quarter. Inés Noguero returned the advantage to the Jackets in the fourth, draining a triple at 9:40, but it would be the final lead for Georgia Tech as Nebraska outscored Tech, 25-18, in the final 10 minutes.
Dunn dropped a career-high 22 points, connecting on three triples, and finished with five rebounds. Morgan followed with 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal. It marked the second time this season two players scored 20-plus points in game – the first coming in the season-opener against Coastal Carolina. Noguero completed a trio of Jackets in double-figures, adding 11 points to the scoreboard. Tech shot 46.0 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle, 39-29.
Alexis Markowski paced Nebraska with a double-double behind 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Shelley matched the game-high of 22 points. The Huskers finished the game shooting 52.5 percent from the field.
The Yellow Jackets return to the hardwood on Tuesday, Dec. 5 welcoming Mercer to McCamish Pavilion. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. on the ACC Network Extra.
Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2
Looking to build on the success of last year’s Competitive Drive Initiative, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation and Georgia Tech athletics are partnering once again to launch Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2. CDI Turn 2 has a goal of raising $2.5 million in new gifts to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund by Dec. 31, and Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Foundation will match eligible gifts to accelerate the impact for Tech athletics. Like last year, not only will gifts to CDI Turn 2 be matched, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points. To learn more and contribute online, visit atfund.org/turn2.
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