Miami Rallies Past Tech in Coral Gables

Coral Gables, Fla. – Michael Devoe scored 20 points to lead for Georgia Tech players in double figures, but the Yellow Jackets could not overcome 18 turnovers and allowing 36 points in the paint in dropping a 79-70 Atlantic Coast Conference decision to Miami Wednesday night at the Watsco Center.

The first half started strong for Tech, leading by as many as 14 points (32-18 with 5:56 left in the first half), buoyed by 11 points from Deebo Coleman and a 6-for-15 performance as a team from three-point range.

Miami rallied behind a 14-2 run towards the end of the first half and went into the break trailing just 36-34. Tech maintained its lead, up 56-52 after Deivon Smith‘s layup with 9:59 remaining, but the Hurricanes put together runs of 11-0 and 7-0 to build a 72-61 lead with 3:12 remaining in the game. Tech was unable to find the basket from long range in the second half, hitting just one of nine attempts from beyond the arc,

Devoe added seven rebounds and three assists while shooting 6-of-15 from the floor in the game. Jordan Usher (16), Coleman (15) and Kyle Sturdivant (12) all finished in double digit points for the night.

Miami had all five starters in double figures. Sam Waardenburg led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds followed by Kameron McGusty (17), Isaiah Wong (14), Charlie Moore (13) and Anthony Walker (12).

Georgia Tech continues its road trip with a visit to Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Feb. 12 against Virginia. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Deebo Coleman hit three three-point field goals in the first half  and finished the game with 15 points. (photo courtesy University of Miami athletics)

 

Post-Game Notes

• Tech has utilized its original starting lineup with which it began the season for the last six 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 Miami, and six of them scored. At least nine players have seen action in 17 of the Jackets’ 23 games, and in eight of 12 ACC games.
• Tech has held a halftime lead in only three ACC games this season – Notre Dame on Jan. 8, Clemson Saturday and Miami Wednesday. The Jackets lost two of those games.
• Tech lost for the first time this season when scoring 70 or more points (8-1).
• Tech has won the turnover battle in seven of its last nine games (lost 18-12 to Miami) and has forced 14.4 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-1.2 per game).
• Tech has reached double digits in steals in seven of its last nine games after getting 10 against Miami. The Yellow Jackets are No. 2 in the ACC in steals in conference play (9.3 per game) and ahead of their 2020-21 pace, when they led the ACC (9.0).
• Tech reserves outscored Miami 22-4 and has outscored the opponent bench 59-13 in the last two games.
• Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher scored 36 of Tech’s 70 points. Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher have accounted for 47.1 percent of the Yellow Jackets’ scoring for the season. However, in Tech’s 10 wins, they have contributed just 41.4 percent of its total points.
• Tech has permitted ACC opponents to shoot just 30.6 percent from three-point range this season, 11-of-46 in the last two games. If Tech’s two games against North Carolina are removed (19-of-42), the Jackets’ yield is 29.2 percent.

• Michael Devoe has reached the 20-point mark in 12 games this season and 32 times in his career.
• Devoe now has 1,560 points in his Tech career and ranks 17^th in career points on the Flats. He needs 27 to catch John Salley (1,587 from 1982-86) for 16^th place and 28 to catch Bruce Dalrymple (1,588 from 1983-87) for 15^th
• Jordan Usher had scored in double digits 19 times this season and in 14 of Tech’s last 15 games. Usher has averaged 15.7 points over that stretch (89-184 FG, 48.4 pct., 26-68 3pt FG, 38.2 pct.).
• Freshman Deebo Coleman has four double-digit scoring games against ACC teams this season and seven overall after scoring 15 points against Miami, a season-high against an ACC team. He matched his high for an ACC game with three three-point field goals (3-of-7) against Miami and is 15-of-30 from long-range over his last six games. He has hit 45.6 percent from distance this season, 39.2 percent in ACC games.
• Sophomore post Jordan Meka has averaged 4.5 rebounds and blocked eight shots in his six ACC games.
• Deivon Smith has averaged 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists over his last nine games. The sophomore point guard has 15 rebounds in his last two games.

Jordan Meka had five rebounds and blocked two shots for the Jackets. (photo courtesy University of Miami athletics)

 

Multimedia

Head coach Josh Pastner postgame audio

 

Michael Devoe, Jordan Usher postgame audio