THE FLATS— Georgia Tech remained undefeated at home, picking up an 80-52 victory over UT Arlington Sunday afternoon. Three Yellow Jackets scored in double-figures led by Francesca Pan with 21 points. Tech improved to 9-1 with the win and 6-0 at home this season.
“I was really pleased with the way we started the game after not shooting the ball very well against MTSU,” commented head coach MaChelle Joseph after the game. “We took a couple days off to get ready for finals, but then we worked on our shooting and building our confidence because we know we have good shooters, we just have to be able to knock down those open shots.”
How It Happened
Tech held UTA to a 23.1 percent (3-13) shooting clip in the first quarter and was able to open a 20-point lead within the first seven minutes, leading 24-4 with 2:16 to play in the opening frame. Pan reached double-figures by the second quarter media break, hitting her second triple of the game to reach 10 points with 4:52 left in the half. Tech would lead by as many as 25 points three times in the first half fueled by seven different Jackets contributing offensively. Tech led 41-19 at the break and shot 58.1 percent (18-31) for the half.
The Lady Mavericks closed within 16 late in the third quarter using a 6-2 spurt over a two minute span, but Kierra Fletcher would snap the run and Pan would hit a jumper to close the frame with Tech leading 58-38. The Jackets would open their largest lead of the game on a Fletcher bucket with 4:40 to play, pushing out to a commanding 70-41 lead. The Jackets and Lady Mavericks would trade baskets over the final minutes for the final 80-52 Tech victory.
Tech Tidbits
* Pan recorded her second-straight game with 20-plus points, leading the Jackets with 21 points
* Pan hit a career-high five three-pointers in the game and finished 7-of-13 from the field
* Fletcher pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds as the Jackets won the battle on the glass, 39-34
* Kaylan Pugh dished out a career-high five assists. Tech finished with 16 assists on the day
* Pugh put together a solid stat line, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals
* Zaire O’Neil was the third Jacket in double-figures with 10 points
* Tech outscored UTA in the paint, 38-22, and posted 24 fast break points
* UT Arlington was paced in scoring by Crystal Allen with 22 points
Next Up
Tech hits the road for the first time this month and heads to in-state rival Georgia on Sunday, Dec. 17. Tip is slated for 1 p.m. on SEC Network.
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