THE FLATS – Behind four players in double-figures, Georgia Tech rolled to a 73-60 victory over Mercer on Tuesday night in McCamish Pavilion. The win pushed Tech to 6-3 on the season.
The Jackets used a 10-0 spurt to get its offense rolling in the first quarter and lead 10-2, but Mercer (3-8) did not go quietly and battled back to knot the game at 20-apiece midway through the second frame. The Bears took the lead off a three-pointer from Deja Williams as the teams traded the lead back-and-forth, leaving Tech with a narrow 31-29 halftime advantage.
Georgia Tech came out of halftime rejuvenated and took control of the third quarter, fueled by Kayla Blackshear with eight points and Ariadna Termis with seven. The Jackets opened a double-digit lead off back-to-back Termis buckets, capped by a triple, to set up a 49-37 lead. Tech maintained an advantage despite the Bears working their way back to two possessions, 62-58, with 4:44 to play, and held strong down the stretch to close the game with an 11-2 run for the final score.
Tech finished with four players in double-figures led by 14 points from Blackshear, 12 from Rusne Augustinaite and 11 from Kara Dunn. Inés Noguero recorded her first collegiate double-double behind 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, helping Tech to a 38-32 win on the glass. The Jackets dished out 18 assists paced by six from Noguero and six from Tonie Morgan.
Mercer was led offensively by Williams with a game-high 17 points, followed by Briana Peguero with 15 points. The Bears shot 41.7 percent from the field, hitting seven three-pointers, but were limited to 3-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Yellow Jackets continue this two-game homestand on Sunday, Dec. 10, welcoming Georgia State. Tip is slated for 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Kayla Blackshear postgame press conference
Head coach Nell Fortner postgame press conference
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.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTWBB), Instagram (GTWBB), Facebook (Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
