With nearly nine minutes left in Saturday's game against Florida State on Senior Day, the crowd level at McAmish Pavilion and the number of high-fives among Georgia Tech players reached a game high.
After missing a layup, the Yellow Jackets were in a transition period of momentum and numbers. Junior guard Myles Kelly missed a 3-point shot on the right side, but senior forward Tizuan Claude chased the loose ball as it wavered down the baseline, grabbed the ball in time, and in the air hit freshman guard on the left side. Passed to Nathan George.
George remained calm amidst the chaos, sinking a 3-point shot to give Tech its first double-digit lead of the game. This was one of many high points in the Jackets' 85-76 victory over the Seminoles. Tech secured its first back-to-back wins in ACC play this season and the largest margin of victory in a conference game.
“I'm glad we were able to finish with a home run like this. I feel like everyone had fun and everyone contributed,” Claude said. “This gives us some good momentum heading into the (ACC) tournament. I think they're a scary team to play against.”
Tech took an 11-4 lead in the first few minutes of the game, gaining points in the paint and with strong defense. The team grew in its downhill drives, ball movement and attacking the basket, evidenced by two standout slams by freshman forward Baye Ndongo.
The Jackets finished the first half with 12 assists, one less than their season average of 13.1 per game, and scored 44 points to FSU's 40.
“I think when we connect and play together, we're a tough team to play against. I don't care who it is,” senior guard Kyle Sturdivant said. “We need to keep it up and keep converting defense into offense and transitioning.”
FSU fought back by the end of the first half behind consecutive shots and length, but Tech picked up on defense after the break.
In addition to a Bubba Miller free throw, Damon Stoudamire's team put the Seminoles in offensive purgatory, forcing them into scoring slumps for five and three minutes. In addition to the seven blocks, Tech's mainstay was rebounding and continually crashing the boards.
Tech had 55 rebounds, 34 on defense and 21 on offense, one shy of the program's all-time rebound record in an ACC game. The Jackets held the lead with multiple one-shot stops on defense and second-chance goals on the other end. on the floor.
Ndongo (14), Claude (10) and sophomore forward Tafala Ngapare (10) had double-digit rebounds.
“Our front line did a good job the entire game against Florida State,” Stoudemire said. “Those three guys controlled the glass really well and helped us get out, and that helped us get some easy baskets.”
Claude and Sturdivant, who were the game's leading scorers with 20 points, echoed similar messages about Tech after the game. “They're a dangerous team to play against right now.”
Stoudemire agreed with them, pointing out how his team proved that it can beat any team, but it can also lose.
With two games left in the regular season and less than two weeks until the ACC Tournament, he's focused on how the Jackets will fare against their next opponent in Wake Forest.
“As a coach, it can be a little scary sometimes because you don't know if your team is ready to cash that check, but…I've seen something different in the players, and… I’m interested to see how they react,” Stoudemire said.
