STANFORD, Calif. – Georgia Tech staged an early comeback against Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but wasn’t able to hold Friday night in a 77-58 loss in Maples Pavilion. The Yellow Jackets close the 2021-22 season at 21-11 overall, marking the second 20-plus win campaign under head coach Nell Fortner in three seasons.
Kansas opened the game with a 10-0 run, forcing the Jackets to burn an early timeout, but Tech staged a 22-3 run over the final seven minutes of the opening quarter to lead 22-13 after 10 minutes. Digna Strautmane extended Tech’s lead to 10 points, 26-16, with a bucket early in the second frame, but it would be Tech’s largest lead of the game as Kansas slowly began chipping away at its deficit. The Jayhawks would cut the score to 28-27 with just under four minutes to play before Sarah Bates drained a three-pointer to put the Jackets back up by four, 31-27. KU closed the half with a 7-0 spurt to lead 34-31 at intermission.
Kansas continued to push its lead in the second half, opening a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter. The Jayhawks would lead by as many as 19 points despite the Jackets coming within nine points in the fourth.
Strautmane led Georgia Tech with 18 points on the night. Lorela Cubaj contributed eight points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Kanas was paced offensively by Holly Kersgieter with 19 points. She was one of four Jayhawks in double-figures. Kansas won the battle on the glass, 40-34, fueled by a double-double from Ioanna Chatzilonti with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Georgia Tech vs. Kansas - NCAA Tournament
Photos by Darren Yamashita
