MIAMI, Fla. – Georgia Tech saw offensive output from eight Yellow Jackets, but No. 15 Miami pulled out the win Thursday night, 69-56. The loss dropped Georgia Tech to 17-11 overall and 7-8 in ACC play.
“I thought the kids competed and really hung together tonight,” commented assistant coach Mark Simons. “We didn’t take advantage of some of the opportunities we had and missed some open looks. It’s a new team right now and trying to put all the pieces together – I thought the kids battled.”
How It Happened
Holding Miami to a 25.0 percent shooting clip in the first quarter, Georgia Tech led 14-13 after the first stanza, taking the lead on a three-pointer from Elizabeth Balogun with less than a minute to play. The Hurricanes dominated the boards in the first quarter, 16-10, but the Jackets went to work to open the second quarter, leading on the glass, 9-7, at the media timeout with 3:43 to play. Balogun connected on a jumper before the media timeout, pulling the Jackets to within one point, 21-20, before Miami closed the half with a 9-2 spurt to lead 30-22 at halftime.
Miami opened a double-digit lead in the third quarter, leading 49-35 with 1:49 to play. Balogun secured a double-digit performance with a jumper at 1:07 before Kelsey Marshall hit a three-pointer to close the quarter with Miami leading 52-37. The Hurricanes continued to push its lead, building an advantage to 18 points. Jasmine Carson hit a pair of three-pointers to bring the Jackets within 12 points to mark the closest they would come the remainder of the game.
Tech Tidbits
* Turnovers plagued the Jackets in the second quarter, committing seven in the frame and 11 for the first half – Miami converted the miscues into 12 first half points
* Miami outscored Georgia Tech in the second quarter, 17-8, shooting 40.0 percent for the period
* Georgia Tech shot 27.3 percent (9-33) from the floor in the first half to Miami’s 32.3 percent (10-31) effort
* For the game, Tech shot 34.8 percent (23-66), while Miami shot 44.3 percent (27-61)
* Balogun led Tech with a team-high 15 points followed by 12 points from Elizabeth Dixon
* Miami won the rebounding battle, 44-38 – Lorela Cubaj pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Jackets
Next Up
Georgia Tech closes out the regular season hosting No. 22/21 Florida State on Sunday in McCamish Pavilion. Tip is slated for 1 p.m. The Yellow Jackets will honor three seniors prior to tipoff on Senior Day.
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