Late Rally Falls Just Short in 62-58 Loss to VT

THE FLATS – Michael Devoe keyed a 10-0 run that nearly saw Georgia Tech come all the way back from a late 13-point deficit, but Virginia Tech held on to escape McCamish Pavilion with a 62-58 win on Wednesday evening.

Trailing 59-46 with less than five minutes remaining in the game, Devoe scored five of Georgia Tech’s 10 points during its late run, including an old-fashioned 3-point play with 1:20 to go that pulled the Yellow Jackets within three at 59-56.

The Yellow Jackets then forced a turnover on Virginia Tech’s ensuing possession to regain the ball with a chance to tie the game. But, unfortunately for the Jackets, they came away empty, then saw the Hokies stretch their lead back out to five points on a goaltending call with 13 seconds remaining. Devoe made a driving layup with nine seconds left to pull the Jackets back within five, but VT’s Hunter Cattoor made 1-of-2 free throws with six seconds on the clock to seal the victory for the Hokies.

After controlling the action for much of the first half and leading by as many as eight points (34-26) with less than two minutes to go before halftime, Georgia Tech’s advantage evaporated when Virginia Tech went on a 10-0 run that spanned halftime and put the Hokies ahead, 36-34, early in the second period. GT briefly regained a 40-39 advantage on a Kyle Sturdivant jumper with just under 14 minutes to go in the game, but VT once again went on a big run, this time a 20-6 spurt that saw the Hokies expand the their advantage to 59-46.

Devoe led all scorers with 18 points and was joined in double-figured by Jordan Usher, who had 11 points for Georgia Tech (11-17, 4-13 ACC). Rodney Howard had eight points and four rebounds in just 19 minutes of play, but fouled out midway through the second half.

Nahiem Alleyne and Keve Aluma led Virginia Tech (17-11, 9-8 ACC) with 12 points apiece.

Georgia Tech outshot Virginia Tech in the game, 43.4%-39.0%, but the Hokies made up for the shooting deficit by outrebounding the Yellow Jackets, 39-31, including a 15-7 advantage in offensive rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Saturday when they travel to second-place Notre Dame (20-8, 13-4 ACC). Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ACC Network.

Michael Devoe led the Jackets with 18 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals. (photo by Danny Karnik)

Post-Game Notes

TEAM NOTES

• Tech employed its most frequently used starting lineup this season – Michael Devoe, Kyle Sturdivant, Khalid Moore, Jordan Usher and Rodney Howard – for the 16^th Tech has utilized eight different starting lineups this season.
• Tech utilized nine players against Virginia Tech, and eight of them scored. Backup point guard Deivon Smith did not play for the second straight game while under concussion protocol. At least nine players have seen action in 21 of the Jackets’ 28 games, and in 12 of 17 ACC games.
• Tech has held its last two opponents under 40 percent from the floor – Syracuse to 32.9 percent from the floor, the lowest percentage an ACC team has achieved against the Jackets this season and the second lowest by any team (28.2 percent by Georgia State), and Virginia Tech to 39 percent.
• Tech’s last five opponents, beginning with Virginia on Feb. 12, have shot 38.3 percent collectively from the floor.
• Tech’s last seven opponents, beginning with Clemson on Feb. 5, have connected on just 27.8 percent of their three-point attempts (Virginia Tech was 6-of-24, 25 pct.).
• Tech’s bench was outscored 25-13 by Virginia Tech, but the Jackets’ bench has outscored that of its opponents 125-66 in the last six games. The Jackets’ reserves have outscored opponents’ reserves in 16 of 28 games this season (only six of 26 last season).
• Tech has won the turnover battle in 10 of its last 15 games (11 for GT to 13 got VT). Tech has forced 13.47 turnovers against ACC teams this season (No. 3 in the conference), and is No. 2 in steals (8.47 per game).
• Tech has committed more fouls than its opponent in 21 of 28 games this season (75 percent of the time), but was even at Syracuse (16-16). In Josh Pastner’s first five seasons, the Jackets did so in 65 of 157 games (41.4 percent of the time).
• Tech has hit 76.8 percent of its free throws (73-of-95) over its eight games since a 3-for10 performance Jan. 29 against Miami.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Michael Devoe scored a game-high 18 points against Virginia Tech and finished the night with 1,649 career points. The senior from Orlando, Fla., needs nine points to catch 12^th-place Tony Akins (1,658 points from 1998-2002).
• Devoe has scored in double digits in 23 of 26 games this season.
• Jordan Usher has reached double figures in 23 of 28 games this season.
• Rodney Howard’s streak of four straight double-digit scoring games came to an end after he scored just eight points against Virginia Tech. The 6-10 senior fouled out in just 19 minutes, the fourth straight game he has fouled out.
• Howard has averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds over Tech’s last five games and hit 28-of-41 shots from the floor in that stretch.
• Kyle Sturdivant has a 33:12 assist/turnover ratio over his last 11 games dating back to Jan. 23 vs. Clayton State. He played his ninth turnover-free game of the season in 33 minutes) against Virginia Tech.
• Jalon Moore played season-high minutes for the second straight game. The 6-7 freshman from Birmingham, Ala., played 15:17 at Syracuse and 16:29 against Virginia Tech, scoring four points in each game with a total of six rebounds.

Rodney Howard scored eight points with four rebounds before fouling out. (photo by Danny Karnik)

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