Jackets Take Down Tigers, 69-64

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech men’s basketball used a first-half 16-0 run to pull out to an double-digit lead and never trailed again, defeating Clemson 69-64 in Atlantic Coast Conference basketball on Saturday afternoon at McCamish Pavilion.

The Yellow Jackets (10-12, 3-8 ACC) were once again staunch on defense — holding the Tigers (12-10, 4-7 ACC) to just 20 points in the opening half — but it would be their bench’s 37 points of offense that loomed large over the game.

Tech was led by Deivon Smith, who turned in an impressive all-around performance in 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Also finishing in double digits was Jordan Usher (13), and Miles Kelly, who finished with a season-high 10. Michael Devoe was held to just three points on the day, but dished out five assists in the effort.

Tech forced Clemson into 18 turnovers and scored 23 points from them, and held the Tigers to 41.4 percent from the floor, 6-of-24 from three-point range.

Clemson was led by two 18-point scorers and Al-Amir Dawes and PJ Hall.

Georgia Tech returns to the road to play at Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the ACC’s Regional Sports Networks.

Georgia Tech’s defense was able to hold Clemson to just 20 points in the opening half. (photo by Anthony McClellan)

 

Post-Game Notes

• Tech has utilized its original starting lineup with which it began the season for the last five games, as well as for six of the first eight games this season. Tech has utilized eight different starting lineups this season.
• Tech utilized nine players against Clemson, and all of them scored. At least nine players have seen action in 16 of the Jackets’ 22 games, and in seven of 11 ACC games.
• Tech has held a halftime lead in only two ACC games this season – Notre Dame on Jan. 8 and Clemson Saturday.
• The 20 points by Clemson were the fewest Tech has allowed an ACC team this season, matching the season low of 20 scored by Clayton State.
• Tech has won the turnover battle in seven of its last eight games (even 18-18 vs. Clemson and has forced 14.6 turnovers against ACC teams this season (No. 2 in the conference). The Jackets also are No. 2 in the ACC in turnover margin vs. ACC teams (plus-1.8 per game).
• Tech has reached double digits in steals in six of its last eight games after getting 10 against Clemson. The Yellow Jackets are No. 2 in the ACC in steals in conference play (9.2 per game) and ahead of their 2020-21 pace, when they led the ACC (9.0).
• Tech reserves scored a season-high 37 points, more than half its total and all from first- or second-year players. They combined to hit 13-of-28 shots from the floor, 6-of-13 from three-point range, and grabbed 17 of the Jackets’ 33 rebounds. Each of them played more than 20 minutes and were on the positive side of the plus/minus column.
• Tech scored 38 points off extra possessions – 23 from Clemson’s 18 turnovers, 15 from its 10 offensive rebounds.
• Tech has hit 10 or more three-point field goals in five of its last eight games, and won four of those. The Jackets have made 38.8 percent of their threes over those eight games.
• Tech’s 18 assists against Clemson was its most in an ACC game this season.
• Jordan Meka saw his first action since Jan. 23 vs. Clayton State, logging a career-high 27:17 against Clemson. He has played in four ACC games, scoring a total of four points with 18 rebounds.
• Freshman Miles Kelly scored a season-high 10 points against Clemson (had 9 vs. Miami), while connecting on 3-of-5 from three-point range. Kelly is 8-of-16 from distance in his last four games.
• Deivon Smith has averaged 7.8 points and 2.8 assists over his last eight games. The sophomore point guard reached double figures for the third time this season and matched his high with 16 points vs. Clemson (scored 16 Jan. 15 at North Carolina). He added a season-high six assists and took eight rebounds, his best in an ACC game and his highest total since his high of 11 vs. Wisconsin on Dec. 1.
• Freshman Deebo Coleman matched his high for an ACC game with three three-point field goals (3-of-7) against Clemson. He has hit 45.8 percent from long range this season, 38.6 percent in ACC games.
• Michael Devoe failed to reach double figures for just the third time this season, but was effective in other ways with five assists, a steal and a pair of rebounds in a team-high 32:26.
• Jordan Usher got back into double figures with 14 points, his 18^th double-digit game of the season and 13^th in Tech’s last 14 games. Usher had averaged 15.7 points over that stretch (83-174 FG, 47.7 pct., 25-64 3pt FG, 39.1 pct.).

Including four rebounds, Jordan Usher (4 – above) scored 14 points. (photo by Anthony McClellan)

 

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