Nov. 8, 2001
ATLANTA – Former Temple standout Quincy Wadley scored 25 points and former Oklahoma player Darren Kelly added 21 as Nike Elite defeated Georgia Tech, 99-90, in an exhibition at Alexander Memorial Coliseum at McDonald’s Center.
Tech fought back from a 17-point deficit in the second half to take an 84-83 lead on Marvin Lewis’ three-pointer with four minutes to play, but Nike Elite scored 12 straight points to regain control.
Lewis and senior point guard Tony Akins led Tech with 21 points each, with Akins adding nine assists. Freshman Ed Nelson came off the bench to contribute 17 points and seven rebounds on a near-perfect shooting night, going 6-for-6 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. Clarence Moore had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Jackets.
Tech started slowly, falling behind 51-35 at the half as the Jackets shot just 31 percent while allowing Nike Elite to hit 54 percent from the field. Tech improved to 54 percent shooting in the second half and outscored Nike Elite 55-48 for the half.
“I was very disappointed in our first-half effort, and I’m not going to blame it on youth, that’s not something we’re going to use as a crutch,” said Tech head coach Paul Hewitt. “Poor perimeter defense, poor shot selection, no ball movement, take your pick. “The second half we played more like we want to play. We got out in transition and pushed the ball ahead.”
Hewitt was pleased with the play of Nelson, a 6-7 forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“Ed Nelson played great,” said Hewitt. “He’s had his share of freshman lapses in practice, but his high school coach told me, Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. He was right. Ed is a gamer. One exhibition game doesn’t make a season, but if you ask for a pleasant surprise, it was Ed.”
The Jackets host EA Sports All-Stars in their final exhibition in their final exhibition Monday at 7 p.m. Tech’s regular-season opener is Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. against Florida A&M at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
