Nov. 9, 2007
ATLANTA (AP) — UNC Greensboro handed another major-conference school a stunning loss, getting 25 points from Kyle Hines in an 83-74 victory over Georgia Tech on Friday night.
Following the lead set by Gardner-Webb with its upset win over Kentucky, the Spartans (1-0) dominated much of the second half and easily withstood a late charge by the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech (0-1), an NCAA tournament team a year ago from the Atlantic Coast Conference, lost its first opener since 1993 and had not dropped an opening game at home since 1980, the start of a 4-23 season that led to the firing of coach Dwane Morrison and ushered in the Bobby Cremins era.
The Yellow Jackets went to the locker room with a 43-39 lead after a seesaw first half that included 17 lead changes and nine ties. They shot only 36 percent from the field but made up for it with a dominating 27-14 edge on the boards.
But UNC Greensboro, from the Southern Conference, took command with a 12-0 spurt early in the second half.
Georgia Tech never mustered much offensively, hitting just 26-of-68 (38 percent) from the field. The Yellow Jackets clearly have plenty of work to do after losing both Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young to the NBA.
Both played only one season in Atlanta before turning pro. Both were first-round draft picks.
Anthony Morrow led Georgia Tech with 23 points.
LIVE STATS ALERT: The Gametracker feature of the CSTV college network failed during the latter portions of tonight’s game. Also, live stats will not be available for Sunday night’s game at Tennessee State. The game can be heard on radio at WQXI-AM, 790 the Zone.
