Fueled by a dominant stretch in the second half, the surging Yellow Jackets kept their season alive with a win over Virginia.
For the first time in nine years, Georgia Tech defeated Virginia, snapping a 13-game losing streak against the Cavaliers with a 66-60 win in the ACC Tournament’s second round. The victory propels the Yellow Jackets into Thursday’s noon quarterfinal against top-seeded Duke.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Second-Half Surge Powers Tech to Victory
Georgia Tech overcame a sluggish offensive start, scoring just 25 first-half points, but turned things around in the second half, outscoring Virginia 41-35. The turning point came in the middle third of the game—Tech erased a seven-point deficit late in the first half and built a 10-point lead by the nine-minute mark of the second.
Head coach Damon Stoudamire credited the team’s improved spacing and free-flowing offense after halftime. “We quit calling a lot of plays, and we just played in space,” Stoudamire said. “Guys were just making good decisions.”
Duncan Powell led the charge with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Baye Ndongo dominated inside with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds). Naithan George nearly made history, finishing just two assists shy of a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Despite Virginia guard Isaac McKneely catching fire with 27 points and seven three-pointers, Tech’s defense stifled the rest of the Cavaliers, who shot just 12-for-41 from the field. Tech also controlled the interior, outscoring Virginia 40-24 in the paint and grabbing 11 offensive rebounds.
Powell emphasized how the team’s inside presence was a focal point. “We got one of the best post guys in the country with Baye Ndongo, so that makes everybody’s job way easier,” he said.
A Massive Challenge: No. 1 Seed Duke Awaits
With the win, Georgia Tech moves on to face ACC regular-season champion Duke, the highest-rated team in KenPom history. The Blue Devils boast a 28-3 record (19-1 ACC) and are led by projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg.
Tech and Duke met once in the regular season, with the Blue Devils cruising to an 82-56 victory. The Jackets made a run late in the first half to cut the lead to five, but Duke responded with a dominant second half, shooting 56% for the game while Tech managed just 36%.
Stoudamire remains confident in his team’s chances, given their strong form down the stretch. “We’re playing our best basketball of the season,” he said. “It’s a challenge, but I think we’re all looking forward to it.”
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
What’s at Stake?
A win over Duke would not only be a monumental upset but would also keep Georgia Tech’s ACC Championship hopes alive. The Jackets most likely must win the ACC Tournament to earn a March Madness bid, making every game a must-win from here on out.
Even if an NCAA Tournament bid is out of reach without a title, a strong showing could improve Tech’s chances of earning an NIT invite. The Yellow Jackets have been one of the hottest teams in the ACC, now 8-3 since the start of February.
Can they keep their run alive? They’ll get their shot at noon on ESPN.