CANCUN, MEXICO – Behind four Yellow Jackets in double-figures, Georgia Tech women’s basketball upended New Mexico, 66-55, in the Cancun Challenge on Friday night. Kayla Blackshear led the way with 14 points and Tonie Morgan recorded a double-double as the Jackets closed out the tournament going 1-1.
After leading at halftime, 25-20, Blackshear scored eight of Tech’s (5-1) first 12 points, including its first six out of intermission, to push the Jackets in front, 37-26. The Lobos (4-2) cut it back to single digits, but Inés Noguero went on a 6-0 spurt, setting up a 48-36 Georgia Tech lead with 1:54 remaining in the third period.
Tech would lead 51-41 entering the final period before UNM used early foul trouble from the Jackets to put together a 7-2 run to open the fourth period and cut the score to 53-48. It would be the closest the Lobos would come the remainder of the game as the Jackets held strong down the stretch. Rusne Augustinaite returned a double-digit lead to the Jackets for the final time with four unanswered points and Aixa Wone Aranaz capped Tech’s offense with her first career three-pointer at Tech as the Jackets sealed the victory.
Tech shot 52.9 percent (18-34) in the second half paced by 13 points from Noguero and 10 points from Blackshear. The Jackets commanded the boards in the second half, 23-15, led by eight from Morgan and committed only five turnovers in the final two periods.
Blackshear finished the game with 14 points, followed by Morgan (13), Noguero (13) and Kara Dunn with 10. Morgan recorded her first double-double of the season, and fifth of her career, behind 12 rebounds, leading Tech to a 47-32 advantage on the glass.
New Mexico’s Aniyah Augmon and Nyah Wilson both scored 17 points to lead the Lobos. UNM was held to a 1-of-15 effort from three-point distance.
Georgia Tech heads back to Atlanta to host the first edition of the ACC/SEC Challenge next, welcoming Florida to McCamish Pavilion on Wed., Nov. 29. Tip is slated for 5 p.m. on the ACC Network.
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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