The Flats – A stifling Georgia Tech defense held Syracuse without a field goal until 5:50 left in the game, and the Yellow Jackets defeated the Orange 65-60 at McAmish Pavilion on Saturday night.
Georgia Tech (11-15, 4-11 ACC) climbed out of an early 9-2 hole and led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but Syracuse's Chris Bell hit a 3-pointer. They fell behind 55-54. There are less than 6 minutes left until the game starts. It was the Yellow Jackets' first run since trailing 21-19 with seven minutes left in the first half.
But Tech's defense held Syracuse back until the final 5:50, and the Orange went 0-for-6 from the field, outscoring SU by an 11-5 margin.
Baye Ndongo The Jackets fought back to take the lead for good, giving Tech a 59-57 lead with 3 minutes, 16 seconds left, and Tech extended their advantage to four points at 62-58 with an old-fashioned 3-point play. Miles Kelly 32 seconds left.
Syracuse made two free throws on the next possession to cut the lead to two points, 62-60. Kyle Sturdivant He made the first of two foul shots to extend the lead to 63-60.
Sturdivant missed his second shot, but Kelly corralled the mistake and made perhaps the biggest play of the game when the Jackets possessed the ball. Despite being fouled, he made two free throws for Tech's three-point goal with 18 seconds left, putting the Jackets up by five points and clinching the victory.
Kelly's huge offensive rebound matched one of the biggest themes of the game: Georgia Tech dominating Syracuse. The Yellow Jackets outscored the Orange 49-28 and had an impressive 12-4 offensive victory.
Ndongo and Kelly led the way for the Tech team, with both posting double-doubles with Ndongo scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and Kelly adding 16 points and 10 rebounds. His strong pace led Tech to 17 points. Tafala Ngapare The 4 jackets were rounded to 10 double digits.
JJ Sterling leads Syracuse (16-10, 7-8 ACC) with 18 points.
Georgia Tech remains at home this week, hosting Clemson University on Wednesday at McCamish Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network.
