Clemson wore down a shorthanded Georgia Tech team.
Georgia Tech struggled offensively and battled through injuries as they fell to Clemson 70-59 on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets fought hard but were ultimately undone by slow starts in both halves, a short bench, and Clemson’s timely shooting.
Pre-Game Storylines
Heading into the matchup, the keys to the game for Georgia Tech were limiting Clemson’s three-point shooting and preventing them from reaching the free-throw line. However, an unexpected challenge arose just before tipoff: Lance Terry was ruled out due to a hand injury, forcing the Yellow Jackets to debut a new starting lineup. Duncan Powell and Ibrahim Souare earned their first starts of the season, while Javian McCollum returned to the starting five for the first time since late November.
First Half Struggles
Georgia Tech’s offensive woes began immediately. The Jackets didn’t score until seven minutes into the game, allowing Clemson to establish an early lead. Despite Clemson’s strong shot selection early on, the Tigers missed several open looks, giving Georgia Tech a chance to stay within striking distance.
A fast-break alley-oop from McCollum to Baye Ndongo and a steal and breakaway dunk by Jaeden Mustaf provided sparks of energy midway through the half. Tech cut the deficit to just one point before Clemson responded with a decisive 17-7 run to close the half, entering the break with a 33-22 lead. Turnovers plagued Georgia Tech, with nine giveaways in the opening frame contributing to their struggles.
Second Half: Injuries and Fatigue
The Yellow Jackets’ challenges mounted in the second half as Jaeden Mustaf left the game six minutes in with a foot injury. Though Mustaf returned after a brief absence, Clemson capitalized on Georgia Tech’s fatigue and short rotation, stretching their lead to 17 points by the midway mark of the half.
Despite looking visibly tired, Tech rallied late with a 9-0 run that cut the lead to nine. However, Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin drained a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, effectively quelling Tech’s comeback attempt.
Key Performances and Takeaways
Baye Ndongo was a bright spot for Georgia Tech, recording a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Jackets shot just 35% from the field (19-for-54) and struggled to find rhythm offensively. After a turnover-heavy first half, Tech took better care of the ball in the second, committing just five turnovers.
Clemson’s Jaeden Zackery led all scorers with a career-high 21 points.
Looking Ahead
Georgia Tech now sits at a crossroads as they prepare for their next game against Florida State on Saturday. With injuries piling up and offensive struggles continuing, the Yellow Jackets will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in ACC play.