Feb. 21, 2013
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Three Yellow Jackets scored in double digits and the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (12-14, 5-10 ACC) cruised to an 82-64 win over Wake Forest (11-16, 4-11 ACC) Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tyaunna Marshall recorded her fourth double-double in the last four games against Wake Forest with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Sydney Wallace finished with 20 points, including five 3-pointers, while Aaliyah Whiteside added 18 points for the Jackets. Roddreka Rogers hauled in 11 rebounds, her third career game with double digit boards.
It was the 22nd career game with at least 20 points for Marshall and the 10th time Wallace has made at least four 3-pointers in a game.
“I really felt like Ty Marshall led us on the offensive end and the defensive end, she made key plays when we were struggling to get started on the road,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “That’s what you expect your go-to player and your leader to do. I thought she did a tremendous job. I thought Sydney Wallace played a great floor game. They pressed us the entire game and she was able to score and take care of the basketball. Roddreka Rogers just continues to get better. The fact that she can go for double figure rebounds in back-to-back games in the ACC, there aren’t many freshmen that can do that. If we could just get her more looks at the basket on the offensive end, because she can score, she can really help us there too.”
It took until the first media timeout for the Yellow Jackets to get warmed up, but once Tech got going, it never looked back. Wake Forest jumped out to an 8-2 lead over the first four minutes and limited the Jackets to just 1-of-8 shooting from the field.
From there, it was all Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets made 15 of their next 25 shots to lead 47-24 at halftime, converting 48 percent of their field goal attempts. The Tech defense held up its end as well, limiting the Demon Deacons to just two field goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half, turning a one-point Tech lead at the under-12 media timeout into a 23 point halftime advantage.
It was the most points Tech has scored in the first half since scoring 50 in the opening period against NC State in the ACC Tournament semifinals last year.
Marshall led the Tech offense in the first half, scoring 20 points and passing Janie Mitchell and Kate Brandt for eighth all-time in points at Georgia Tech.
“I thought Ty was at that special level where she could basically do anything she wanted at the offensive end. When she gets going like that, it’s really hard to stop her,” Joseph added.
The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to as many as 28 early in the second half and led by at least 20 until the final minute.
Tech forced 24 Wake Forest turnovers and turned them into 30 points on the offensive end.
“I think the fact that we’ve won five ACC games and four on the road is a great sign for this young team,” Joseph said. “When you can go on the road and win and score 80 points in an ACC game, you know you’re doing something right. I think that gives us a lot of confidence. We’ve got two home games left and another road game. It’s a great opportunity for us to end our season on a strong note.”
Georgia Tech will return to Atlanta for its final two home games of the season. The Yellow Jackets will take on Miami at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, when Tech will celebrate Senior Day. The contest with the Canes can be seen on the ACC’s Regional Sports Networks. The final home game of the year for the Jackets will be Thursday, Feb. 28, when Georgia Tech hosts Clemson at 7 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s basketball on Twitter, @GTWBB, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensBasketball, for an inside look at the program.
–RamblinWreck.com–
