ATLANTA (Nov. 9) — Georgia Tech’s frontcourt tandem of Alvin Jones and Jason Collier combined for 46 points and 27 rebounds, but former Washington standout Mark Sanford had 32 points to lead California All-Stars to a 95-85 victory over the Yellow Jackets in an exhibition at Alexander Memorial Coliseum at McDonald’s Center.
Collier led the Jackets with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting and 16 rebounds, while Jones also notched a double-double with 20 points, including 10-for-12 from the free throw line, and 11 rebounds. Tech outrebounds California All-Stars, 51-29, but committed 24 turnovers and shot just 39 percent to almost 60 percent for California All-Stars.
Tech got off to a slow start, falling behind by as many as 21 points in the first half, and California All-Stars led 50-32 with 2:43 left in the half before the Jackets scored the final 10 points of the half, fueled by a pressure defense, to cut their deficit to eight points at the intermission.
In the second half, the Jackets managed to get within 55-49 after a Collier basket with 17:51 to play and stayed within 74-67 with eight minutes to go, but they could get no closer.
“We got off to a horrible start, but we’re very fortunate that this doesn’t count,” said Tech head coach Bobby Cremins. “We cannot afford to play like that; we’ve got to come out fired up and ready.
“We’re trying to put some combinations together and study some things. I saw some really good things. We made a nice comeback, but we’ve got to play a lot better than that. We’ve got to loosen up and shoot the ball better.”
Jason Floyd had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Jackets, while Tony Akins scored nine points and Clarence Moore had eight.
California All-Stars also featured former Florida point guard Eddie Shannon, who had 19 points and nine assists.
Tech opens the regular season Nov. 19, hosting Mercer at 7:30 p.m. at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
