THE FLATS – Georgia Tech men’s basketball made 13 3-pointers – including six-straight during a 24-10 run midway through the second half – to pull away from pesky Georgia Southern and win the first game under head coach Damon Stoudamire, 84-62, on Monday night at McCamish Pavilion.
Although Georgia Tech (1-0) never trailed after taking a 40-38 lead less than three minutes after halftime, Georgia Southern (0-1) kept it close for the first 10 minutes of the final period and trailed by just two points at 52-50 at the midway point of the second half.
However, a Kyle Sturdivant 3-pointer with 9:36 to go in the ballgame kick-started the 24-10 run for the Yellow Jackets over the next six minutes that saw them take control at 76-60. Tech made 9-of-10 shots – including 6-of-6 from 3-point range – during the decisive run.
In all, Georgia Tech shot 56.7 percent from the field in the second half – including a blistering 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from long-distance – to pull away for the convincing victory.
Miles Kelly led four Yellow Jackets in double-figures with a game-high 25 points, 19 of which came on 7-of-10 shooting (4-of-6 from 3) in the second half. Deebo Coleman also scorched the nets after the break, making 4-of-5 shots while scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second period. Playing in their first game as Yellow Jackets, Kowacie Reeves and Tyzhaun Claude rounded out the four Jackets in double-figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Kyle Sturdivant came off the bench to dish out a game-best six assists and Claude pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for his double-double as a Yellow Jacket after recording 11 last season at Western Carolina.
Jamar Franklin scored a team-high 17 points for Georgia Southern.
Georgia Tech returns to action on Thursday versus Howard at McCamish Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.