Jackets Drop Home Finale to No. 9 Virginia Tech, 65-52

THE FLATS – Cameron Swartz dropped a team-high 20 points Sunday afternoon, but Georgia Tech wasn’t able to overcome No. 9 Virginia Tech, falling 65-52 in the final regular season game of the season.

Georgia Tech trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half, but back-to-back three-pointers from Swartz closed the half and cut Georgia Tech’s deficit to 38-25, snapping an 11-0 Hokies run. It was a back-and-forth battle in the first quarter before Virginia Tech put together a 9-2 spurt to open a 20-10 advantage early in the second frame. The Hokies built their lead out to 18 points off the 11-0 run before Swartz attacked the deficit entering intermission. Swartz owned double-figures by halftime with 10 points after the first two periods.

The Jackets cut it to a nine-point ballgame, 42-33, with less than three minutes played into the third quarter on two three-pointers from Swartz and a jumper from Nerea Hermosa, but Virginia Tech answered with strong shooting to maintain a comfortable lead. Kayla Blackshear and Tonie Morgan helped lift the Jackets to win the fourth quarter, but GT wasn’t able to come any closer than the final score, 65-52.

Georgia Tech recognized its senior class, Nerea Hermosa, Bianca Jackson and Cameron Swartz, prior to tipoff in the final regular season home game. Photo by Danny Karnik

Swartz finished with 20 points as the only Jacket in double-figures for the second consecutive game. Avyonce Carter added eight points on a three-pointer and a trio of free throws, while Morgan posted a solid stat line behind seven points and seven rebounds. On senior day, Hermosa capped the game with a team-high seven rebounds to go along with six points.

Virginia Tech was led by Elizabeth Kitley who posted a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds. Kayana Traylor added 14 points as the Hokies shot 43.3 percent from the field. VT won the battle on the glass, 37-31.

Georgia Tech opens ACC Tournament action on Wednesday, March 1 against 11^th-seeded Boston College. Tip is slated for 6:30 p.m. on the ACC Network in the Greensboro Coliseum.

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