March 05, 2016
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| Gregory post-game audio | Georges-Hunt and Smith post-game audio
ATLANTA (AP) Brian Gregory believes Georgia Tech might need a couple wins in the ACC tournament to impress the NCAA selection committee.
”We have a chance,” the fifth-year coach said. ”I think we should be in the discussion. Do we need to do a few more things? Yes, I think so. But we’re in position now.”
Adam Smith scored 23 points, Nick Jacobs added 19 points and 12 rebounds and Georgia Tech beat Pittsburgh 63-59 on Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets (18-13, 8-10 Atlantic Coast Conference) finished their best regular season under Gregory. Georgia Tech has won five of six.
Michael Young scored 24 points for Pitt (20-10, 9-9). Despite winning last Sunday at home against then-No. 15 Duke, the Panthers have dropped two straight and are trying to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
”It puts in a situation where we’ve got to do something here going forward,” coach Jamie Dixon said. ”This is another tough loss for us.”
Pitt missed all 11 of its 3-point attempts, marking the first time this season the Panthers were scoreless beyond the arc. Chris Jones missed a 3 and James Robinson a layup in the closing seconds for Pitt.
Smith’s 3-pointer with 6:24 remaining gave the Jackets a 56-55 lead, and they never trailed again. Smith went 5 for 7 beyond the arc.
”He’s an experienced shooter, and we let him get going,” Pitt forward Sheldon Jeter said after scoring 12 points. ”He hit two daggers, absolute daggers, late in the shot clock.”
Marcus Georges-Hunt scored 10 points and Charles Mitchell had 11 rebounds for Georgia Tech. Both are seniors who played their last home game for the Jackets.
“You want it for (the seniors),” said Gregory. “You want it for the young guys and the (transfer) guys that sacrificed a lot to come here and play for one year.”
TIP-INS
Pitt: The Panthers had just six assists, three by Young. … In the last two games, Pitt went missed a combined 29 of 32 on 3s. ….Freshman G Cameron Johnson missed the game after accidentally cutting his arm in the Virginia Tech locker room. Coach Jamie Dixon didn’t immediately know how much time Johnson, who has made 41 percent of 64 shots beyond the arc, will miss. … Young has scored in double figures in 17 of 18 ACC games this season and in 28 of 30 overall.
Georgia Tech: The Jackets didn’t allow a 3 for the first time since losing at home to Maryland on Jan. 30, 2011. … Tech was outscored 38-22 in the paint and 14-5 from the bench. … Other than Smith, the rest of the team went 0 for 8 on 3s. … Tech’s four-game ACC winning streak, the team’s longest since 2001-02, ended in a three-point loss Wednesday at No. 11 Louisville.
UP NEXT
Pitt: Second round of the ACC tournament Wednesday in Washington.
Georgia Tech: Second round of the ACC tournament Wednesday in Washington.
