Nov. 28, 2002
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team will look to build on an 82-47 home win over Long Island on Tuesday, when it hosts the Atlanta Marriott NW Classic on Friday and Saturday at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
The Yellow Jackets (2-1) will face East Tennessee State (1-2) in the first round on Friday at 1 p.m., while Arkansas State (1-1) will square off with Miami (Ohio) at 3 p.m. The winners will meet in the tournament championship game at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with the losers facing one another in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
The Jackets bounced back from their loss at Kansas State in fine fashion, putting together a solid outing in defeating Long Island. Tech used a pressing defense and powerful inside game, along with improved outside shooting to down the Blackbirds.
The Jackets finished the game with 48 points in the paint and forced a season-high 29 turnovers, while Tech converted into 37 points. Of the 29 LIU turnovers, 15 came as a result of Jacket steals, with junior guard Megan Isom leading the way with her career-best six swipes. That was also the most steals by a Yellow Jacket since Milli Martinez had five against Duke last December.
Isom was also the story on the offensive end for Tech as she broke out of a shooting slump to score a career-high 17 points against the Blackbirds. The Decatur, Ga., native matched her career best with four three-point baskets as well, hitting on four of seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Senior center Sonja Mallory led the Jackets in scoring for the second time in the young season, netting 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds. The senior is averaging 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds, totals that rank fourth and second in the ACC.
The Yellow Jackets and ETSU Buccaneers will be meeting for the fourth time in history, with Georgia Tech holding a 3-0 lead in the all-time series. Tech won the last meeting in Johnson City, Tenn., by an 88-73 score in 1994.
Each Georgia Tech women’s basketball game can be heard locally on 91.1 WREK-FM and online at www.ramblinwreck.com.
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