Jan. 20, 2018
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THE FLATS — Four Yellow Jackets scored in double figures, but Georgia Tech men’s basketball was unable to top 15th-ranked North Carolina, falling 80-66 on Saturday afternoon.
Despite outshooting the Tar Heels (16-4, 5-2 ACC), the Jackets lost the rebounding battle, 45-23 on the day, including 19 offensive boards that led to a 26-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Sophomore Josh Okogie led the field for Tech (10-9, 3-3 ACC), finishing with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Freshman Jose Alvarado scored 17 points while Ben Lammers and Abdoulaye Gueye finished with 12 points and four rebounds apiece.
Luke Maye had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Theo Pinson added 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Joel Berry II and Cameron Johnson finished with 16 points apiece to help the Tar Heels.
Alvarado hit four 3-pointers, including one that pulled the Yellow Jackets to 70-62 with about 3 1/2 minutes left. But he fouled Berry on the Tar Heels’ ensuing possession – and then stepped over him, earning a technical foul with 3:21 to play.
Berry hit three of the four free throws he was awarded to put North Carolina’s lead into double figures to stay. The Tar Heels were 19 of 24 from the line, while Georgia Tech was just 3 of 6.
BIG PICTURE
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets had won four in a row before this two-game run against top-15 opponents. After suffocating against No. 2 Virginia’s ACC-best defense, Georgia Tech couldn’t keep up with North Carolina’s fast-paced offense, which averages nearly 83 points – especially after one stretch in which it had two field goals in 10-plus minutes.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels’ winning streak remains intact, but Berry had a rough day until his free-throw bonanza all but iced it. The most outstanding player at the Final Four finished just 3 of 17 from the field and was just 1 of 8 from long range.
UP NEXT
Georgia Tech: Visits Florida State on Wednesday night.
North Carolina: Plays at Virginia Tech on Monday night.
