THE FLATS – Georgia Tech basketball (4-0) dug deep and flexed an exceptional 50 points alone in the second half to defeat UNC Asheville (2-3) by a final score of 75-74 on Saturday night from inside McCamish Pavilion, in Atlanta.
Despite trailing for majority of Saturday night’s game, high-pressure defense in the second half combined with both stellar shooting and defensive efforts from Tech’s bench propelled the Jackets to the late 75-74 win. Tech’s 54.5% shooting from distance and 56.0% shooting from the line in the second half was accompanied by 21 rebounds and only two turnovers.
After beginning the Saturday afternoon match trading points, Tech found itself trailing early through the first half as an eight-point scoring run for the Bulldogs put the Jackets down, 13-21. Tech remained aggressive at the glass while working to improve their offensive efforts, but faced at most an 11-point deficit in the first half. Constant pressure and adjustments on offense helped Tech chip away at UNC Asheville’s lead and bring the game within seven points going into halftime.
Jackson Fields was an essential piece to Tech’s first half efforts, leading the not only the Jackets’ offense but all shooters with 12 points, going 5-of-8 from the field, recording one from distance and one from the free throw line. Defensively, Fields led both teams with 10 rebounds to earn his first career double-double. Tylis Jordan and Cam Kraft bolstered Fields’ offensive efforts with six points respectively with Jordan seeing most of his success from the three-point arc.
In the second half, Tech’s aggressive full court press not only put enough pressure on UNC Asheville’s offense but brought new life to McCamish Pavilion as the Jackets not only worked their way back to take the lead, 64-63 with just over three minutes remaining, but went on to complete the 75-74 comeback win.
The second half saw Kaiden Bailey come alive to help Tech pull off the comeback as he posted 11 points in the second half alone (4-of-7/ 2-of-2 from three/ 1-of-2 from the line). Tylis stacked another 10 points in the second half, as did Courtland Muldrew after going 3-of-5/ 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. Tech’s bench contributed 28 of the Jackets’ 47 total points in the second half. Saturday’s win was made possible after Tech was able to run offensively off a 65.6 scoring percentage, seeing 10-of-15 layups and forcing 19 turnovers from the Bulldogs.
The Yellow Jackets look to stay in the win column this Tuesday, Nov. 17 when they host Norfolk State. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking HERE.