Jan. 13, 2011
ATLANTA – Powered by a tough defense and an efficient offense, Georgia Tech rolled to a team record 12th straight win by beating the Virginia Cavaliers 68-48 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum Thursday afternoon. With the victory, the Jackets improve to 15-4 and 3-0 in conference play, while Virginia drops to 10-8 and 0-3 in the ACC.
With the win, Georgia Tech improves to 3-0 in conference play, only the second time in school history and first since 1992-93 that the Jackets have been perfect through three games.
“First of all I give Virginia a lot of credit because they never stopped playing,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “We got a 20-point lead and I thought they made a great effort to get back in the game. They went with a four guard lineup and really caused us some problems with our bigs guarding the fourth guard, so we had to make some adjustments.”
Tech was led by senior Alex Montgomery who came within one rebound of a double-double and had 14 points. Freshman Tyaunna Marshall scored a game-high 16 points, her seventh consecutive double-figure game. Junior point guard Metra Walthour dished out a career-best nine assists, while Marshall tied her career-high with five helpers.
“Overall, I was really pleased with how we shared the basketball,” Joseph added. “We had four players in double figures. For us to come off a game where we were 9-of-18 from the free throw line and turnaround to be 11-of-11 is a big improvement. One of the things I challenged our team about after the game was making layups. We’ve got to finish in the paint. The last four minutes to only score two points, I really feel like we leave too many points out on the floor. That’s one of the things we talked about and we’ll continue to talk about going forward in ACC play.”
The Jackets went on an 11-0 run early in the first half, pressuring the Cavaliers while holding them scoreless over seven minutes of play on the way to jumping out to a 19-6 lead.
Three players, Deja Foster, Sasha Goodlett, and Montgomery all had nine rebounds as the Jackets had a great night on the boards. The game marked the 17th time in 19 games this season the Jackets have out-rebounded their opponent, picking up 39 to Virginia’s 25. Of the 39 total, 17 came on the offensive side and led to 15 second chance points.
Goodlett added 14 points, finishing in double digits for the ninth time this season and sixth time in the last eight games. Foster tossed in 10 points, the third time this season she has been in double digits, but the first since Dec. 28 against Mercer.
“We’ve been talking about getting post touches and getting [Goodlett] the ball more,” Joseph said. “I felt like in the wins over North Carolina and Clemson she was key, the difference maker. We’re used to Metra, Alex and Ty carrying us, but in ACC play we know we have to have an inside game. I thought she was a difference.”
Tech struggled from beyond the arc, only connecting on 1-of-6, but shot 100 percent from the free throw line in 11 attempts, marking the first time in school history the Jackets have made 100 percent of their free throws in a game when shooting at least 10. The Cavaliers also had a poor night shooting three-pointers, missing on seven chances.
The Jackets worked on pushing the pace all game. They had 10 steals and forced 22 Cavalier turnovers, leading to 21 points.
The Jackets return to action on Monday, January 17th, when they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face Wake Forest. Tip-off against the Demon Deacons is slated for 7 p.m. with the RSN broadcasting the game. Fans can also listen live at WREK.org, follow live stats through RamblinWreck.com or follow us on Twitter, @GTWBB, for instant updates.
Georgia Tech Post-Game Notes: vs. Virginia, Jan. 13, 2010, Game #19- 15-4, 3-0 ACC
Notes…
• Today’s starters: G-Metra Walthour, G-Ty Marshall, G-Alex Montgomery, F-Deja Foster, C-Sasha Goodlett
• Final Score: Georgia Tech 68 – Virginia 48
• Best ACC Start in Program History: The Jackets are 3-0 in ACC contests for the second time in program history, matching the 1992-93 season.
• Continuing the Streak: The Jackets extended their winning streak to a program-best 12 straight games.
• First Half Defense: Georgia Tech continues to plays solid defense, holding the Cavaliers scoreless for seven minutes in the first half, while going on an 11-0 run.
• Give Me Thirty: The Yellow Jackets have topped the 30-point mark in the first half of all three ACC games this season. They have recorded a 30-point first half in six straight games and in 12 of 19 games this year.
• Owning The Boards: Georgia Tech outrebounded Virginia, 39-25. Three Jackets had nine rebounds in the game.
• Perfect From The Line: Tech was a perfect 11-11 (1.000) from the free-throw line. It is the first time the Jackets were perfect in program history with at least 10 attempts.
• Cold From Downtown: Both teams struggled from three-point range, combining for 1-13 from beyond the arc. Tech held Virginia to 0-7, which is an opponents season low.
The win tonight…
• Gives Georgia Tech a 274-173 (.613) mark all-time in home games.
• Gives Georgia Tech a 92-25 (.786) record under head coach MaChelle Joseph at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
• Gives the Yellow Jackets a 11-52 all-time record against Virginia
• Gives Tech a 146-300 (.327) record against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.
• Improves head coach MaChelle Joseph’s record to 144-90 (.615), all time at Georgia Tech.
• Gives Tech an 11-1 record at home this season.
Record Watch
• The 2010-11 senior class moved in to second place in program history with 82 victories. They only trail last years’ seniors, who recorded 88 victories in their four seasons on The Flats.
• Alex Montgomery needs just one rebound to become just the 10th Yellow Jacket with 700 in a career.
Next Up
• Georgia Tech will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., Monday for a prime-time televised contest against Wake Forest beginning at 7 p.m.
Senior Alex Montgomery
… Has 76 career double-digit scoring efforts in her career.
… Has recorded 1,355 points in her career and needs only nine to pass Fallon Stokes for ninth place in program history.
Junior Metra Walthour
… Has recorded at least five assists six times this season.
… Recorded a career-high nine assists.
… Her nine assists today gives her 207 in her career.
Freshman Tyaunna Marshall
… Has finished in double figures seven straight games and 14 times in her short career.
Junior Sasha Goodlett
… Has finished in double figures in three straight games and 31 times in her career.
… Now has 688 points and 393 rebounds in her career.
–RamblinWreck.com–
