THE FLATS – Basketball season returned to McCamish Pavilion Monday morning as Talayah Walker erupted for 40 points in Georgia Tech’s 80-65 victory over Hofstra.
The junior guard from Odenton, Md. picked up where she left off last season – and improved on it – with a career-high 40-piece on 15-for-20 shooting. She became the first Yellow Jacket this century to score 40 and first since Niesha Butler on Jan. 2, 1999 vs. Florida State. That mark also set the ACC record for most points in a season opener, besting the previous mark of 34 (Riquna Williams, Miami - 2009 & Dara Mabrey, Notre Dame - 2020). She had 28 points (five shy of her previous career-high) in the first half.
She was perfect from the free throw line (7-for-7) and had five rebounds and four steals.
In addition to Walker's career day, La'Nya Foster had 19 points with nine boards and three steals. It was her 45th career game scoring in double figures. Erica Moon started at point guard for the Jackets and collected a career-high four steals as well.
Tech showed efficiency at the free throw line Monday, with a 16-for-18 clip. The Jackets also limited the Pride to 14 points off 17 turnovers. Monday also marked the first career start and first appearance in a Tech uniform for Jordan Ode, who collected 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
McCamish Pavilion was packed for Education Day, with 6,326 in attendance – the fourth-most in program history and second-most for Tech women's basketball in its current venue.