ATLANTA (Nov. 11) — Sophomore Milli Martinez came of the bench to score a game-high 17 points, and junior Jaime Kruppa added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead Georgia Tech to a 72-59 exhibition women’s basketball win over the Russian Junior National Team Thursday night at Alexander Memorial Coliseum at McDonald’s Center.
Senior Danielle Donehew added 12 points and helped key a 16-2 run that helped the Jackets pull away down the stretch.
The Russians, down by nine midway through the second half, closed to within two at 52-50 with 6:56 to play before Donehew got Tech going after a Yellow Jacket timeout. Donehew hit two of her three second-half three pointers during the spurt, and the Jackets went 8-of-8 from the foul line as Tech went up 68-52 with 2:37 to play.
The Jackets outrebounded their taller opponents 46-38, and Tech’s defense forced 25 turnovers. The Jackets also held the Russians to their lowest point-total in their seven-game American tour.
Guard Elena Grishina led the Russians with 16 points, and center Tatiana Zhogoleva collected 10 rebounds.
The Jackets open the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 23 at cross-town rival Georgia State at 6 p.m.
