Georgia Tech cruises past Alcorn State
The first game after final exams traditionally has been a challenge for Georgia Tech. The natural reaction for players to exhale after taking a big test to complete a class has often led to some ragged performances.
That wasn’t the case Sunday. The Yellow Jackets opened the game with good energy and never let Alcorn State have a chance. Georgia Tech’s 75-50 win was so decisive that the final three minutes were played with walk-ons, freshmen and graduate transfers.
Georgia Tech (6-3) led 39-22 at halftime and showed some improvement in several areas, including turnovers (14, with two of them coming from a walkon) and free throws, (making 20-of-27).
“Good win, especially coming after finals,” Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner said. “I know it’s been a long layoff for us, 10 days, but we found a way to get a good win.”
Georgia Tech had not played since Dec. 7, when it scored an overtime win at VCU, easily its best win of the season.
The Yellow Jackets will return to practice Monday to get ready for rival Georgia, which embarrassed them last season in Athens. They also have a game Thursday against Wofford before taking off for Christmas break.
Three who mattered
Georgia Tech center Ben Lammers: The junior had his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Lammers was 5-for-7 from the field, and six of his rebounds came on the offensive glass.
Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie: The freshman bounced back to scored 14 points and was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. He’ll have to get better on the boards (he didn’t have a rebound), but he produced three steals.
Georgia Tech guard Tadric Jackson: The junior scored 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting and had a pair of steals. Jackson was wearing a butterfly bandage on his eye as the result of an injury suffered during one of the team’s rebounding drills.
Turning point
Georgia Tech used an 8-0 spurt in the middle of the first half to gain a comfortable advantage. The Yellow Jackets got dunks from Lammers and Jackson and a three-point play from Okogie to run out to a 30-14 lead.
Observations
Quinton Stephens has changed his game: The slender senior has spent the previous three seasons setting up on the perimeter and firing 3-pointers. Now he is hitting the boards and showing a more aggressive defensive side. He had eight rebounds Sunday, just a bit above his season average of 7.8.
Making more than the opposition: One of Pastner’s goals is to make more free throws than the opponent takes. On Sunday, the Yellow Jackets made 20; Alcorn State shot only 15. That’s a win for Georgia Tech.
Worth mentioning
The same old starters: The Yellow Jackets fielded the same starting lineup for the sixth straight game: Lammers, Okogie, Corey Heyward, Stephens and Justin Moore. The first subs were Josh Heath, Abdoulaye Gueye and Jackson at the 14:01 mark.
The missing Matthews: Georgia Tech freshman Christian Matthews was not present for Sunday’s game because of stomach flu. The trainer kept him away for precautionary reasons, but Matthews is expected back Tuesday.
Alcorn’s Georgia connection: There are five Georgians on the Alcorn State roster, and head coach Montez Robinson said that group might have been over-eager to play. A.J. Mosby, a junior from Cartersville, led the Braves with 15 points and hit four 3-point shots.
They said it
Pastner on the significance of the victory: “Kind of validated the VCU win. Told our guys we had to follow that up with this to make sure we validate the VCU win. We’ve still got some things to work on.”
Pastner on having a rare lopsided game: “We’ve got three games in five days this week. We’ve conditioned a lot, so though no matter what we’re able to handle it. We’ve conditioned hard all summer for these kind of things. It was the first time when it hasn’t been a possession type of game. Had some separation. Our execution has to be near perfect to give us a chance.”
Robinson on the difference in 50-50 balls: “They came away with every 50-50 ball. They were going after the ball. They were going after it, and we were picking flowers.”
What’s next?
Georgia Tech hosts Georgia on Tuesday night at McCamish Pavilion.
This story was originally published December 18, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech cruises past Alcorn State."