Nov. 8, 2009
ATLANTA – Gani Lawal led all Georgia Tech scorers with 18 points, as the Yellow Jackets scored the final eight points in overtime to hold off Indiana (Pa.) University 84-76 on Sunday evening in front of 6,904 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in exhibition action.
“It was a strange game,” said Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt. “We didn’t do some things fundamentally very well. A game like this will definitely get our attention.”
After a second half that saw the lead change six times, Georgia Tech held an 82-79 with 39 seconds remaining. Then, IUP’s Jeffery Sanders nailed a three-pointer to tie the game at 82. After Tech failed to score on its next possession, Indiana’s Akida McLain heaved a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer that landed short, sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, the teams traded buckets to keep the game tied at 76 with 2:46 remaining. Freshman Derrick Favors gave the Jackets the lead with a lay in at the two-minute mark to make the score 78-76. From there, the Yellow Jackets iced the game at the free throw line, as Lawal made two and Maurice Miller made four from the charity stripe.
“I was happy for Moe,” said Hewitt. “He made a lot of things happen for us down the stretch.”
At the half, Georgia Tech held a 36-30 lead. IUP outscored the Yellow Jackets 42-36 in the second half to send the game to overtime, and in the extra frame, Georgia Tech outscored the Crimson Hawks 12-4 to pull away for the win.
For the game, Favors ended with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Lawal pulled down eight boards. D’Andre Bell rounded out the double digit scorers for Georgia Tech with 10, while also dishing out nine assists. McLain of IUP was the game’s top scorer, recording a double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds.
“McLain put up a lot of shots tonight, which is what we expected him to do,” said Hewitt. “He just had it going tonight.”
Georgia Tech will open its regular season on Saturday, hosting Florida A&M beginning at 7 p.m.
