Dec. 5, 2010
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ATLANTA – Strong performances from Tyaunna Marshall, Alex Montgomery, and Metra Walthour powered the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4) to a 69-53 win over the 21/22 ranked rival Georgia Lady Bulldogs (6-2) in front of 5,015 fans at Alexander Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon. The 16-point margin was the Jackets largest win ever over the in-state rivals.
“The reason we had the opportunity to win the game was because we took care of the ball and played with a lot of poise,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “When they made a run or made a big play, we didn’t let it bother us. We just came back and made shots, made defensive stops. This is a team that is getting better. When more people are scoring, we’re a way better basketball team. After these next two weeks, being able to work Danielle Hamilton-Carter more into the mix, I think we’re going to be an even better basketball team when we come back in two weeks.”
True freshman Ty Marshall led the Jackets with 20 points, her sixth game in double figures this season and second game breaking 20 points, both coming against ranked opponents. She added four assists and two steals as well.
“I just came in to the season accepting my role,” Marshall said. “Coach said my role is to play defense and attack, and I’ve been playing my role the best I can.”
Senior guard Alex Montgomery had 18 points and three assists. She led the Jackets from long-range, connecting on 3-of-5 three-pointers, and has scored at least 16 points in three straight games.
Metra Walthour was the third Jacket to get double digit points, contributing with 16 and adding four steals, five assists, and zero turnovers.
“Coach always says that we’re a better team when we have more scoring from the outside,” Walthour said. “There are a lot of teams that want to double down on Alex. I just came into the year knowing that I needed to step up and hit shots, and help my team in scoring. It’s proven when we [guards] score better, we’re a better team. We’re just trying to step up and help Alex out.”
Georgia Tech held a four point lead at halftime, leading 35-31, and managed to extend their lead by outscoring Georgia 34-22 in the second half to get the victory. Tech improved to 5-1 on the season when taking an advantage into intermission.
Georgia Tech made five straight shots from the field–all of them layups or from close in–and knocked down three free throws to stretch it from 37-36 to 50-39 with just over 13 minutes remaining. The Lady Bulldogs went 1-of-5 during that stretch, turned it over four times
The Lady Bulldogs dominated on the boards, outrebounding Tech 50-29, including 26 offensive rebounds, and is only the second time this season that Tech has been outrebounded. Georgia was led by forward Porsha Phillips, who had a game-high 15 rebounds. Sasha Goodlett pulled down six boards to lead Tech.
The Jackets blocked a season-high seven shots Sunday. Goodlett had a season-high three blocks, and Walthour added two. Tech was successful in pushing the pace of the game. The Jackets had 13 fast break points to Georgia’s 2, and held a 17-6 margin in points off of turnovers.
The announced attendance of 5,015 was the fifth largest crowd in Tech Women’s history at Alexander Memorial. Two of the top five highest attended games have come against UGA.
The victory was Tech’s first over a ranked opponent in over a year, with the last such win coming on March 1, 2009 over 22/19 Virginia.
Georgia Tech takes a break for exams over the next two weeks, and returns to action December 21 at Portland State.
–RamblinWreck.com–
