Georgia Tech Basketball vs NC State: Halftime Report

Georgia Tech shot the ball well against NC State in the first half

Georgia Tech is coming off perhaps the two worst losses of the Josh Pastner era and it is facing an NC State team that has surged to the top half of the ACC. The Yellow Jackets followed their 43-point loss to Duke with a loss to 2-19 Louisville and it seems that Josh Pastner and this program are at rock bottom.

The only way they can dig themselves out of this hole is by winning, but that is going to be challenging against NC State and the ACC's top scorer, Terquavion Smith. NC State won the previous matchup this season in Atlanta 78-66.

The Yellow Jackets are playing well so far in Raleigh however but still trail at halftime 41-35. 

The offense seemed to bounce out of a slump (for now) and Georgia Tech has done a good job of keeping Smith held in check for now. 

Here are some first-half thoughts. 

1. Lance Terry's return

Lance Terry returned to the lineup for Georgia Tech today / Georgia Tech Athletics

One big thing to take away from the first half is that having Lance Terry back in the lineup is helping this offense. Terry has 10 points on 4-7shooting and the offense is moving the ball around better than it has since he has been sidelined for a hamstring injury. 

2. Balanced effort on offense

Kyle Sturdivant has had a nice first half for Georgia Tech against NC State / Georgia Tech Athletics

It was not just Terry leading the way for the offense for Georgia Tech. Kyle Sturdivant had nine points, Ja'von Franklin had nine as well, and Miles Kelly had seven. The offense had its best first half in a while, but they are going to have to do it again in the second half if the Yellow Jackets want to win. 

3. The defense has been the main issue

Georgia Tech has a pretty solid all-around defense, but NC State did not have a problem scoring in the first half. The Wolfpack had 41 points, but only three from Smith. NC State is shooting 51.5% from the field and 36.4% from three. Georgia Tech is going to need a better defensive effort in the second half to pull off an upset. 

4. Another Big Run to end the half

One of Georgia Tech's many problems this season has been giving up various runs during games and that is what happened at the end of the first half. NC State closed on a 12-2 run and hit their last three field goals. NC State also kept Georgia Tech from scoring during the last 2:43 of the first half to take a six-point lead into halftime. Tech has little margin for error and can't afford to give up runs like this in the second half. 

Halftime stats pic.twitter.com/pX7z4J5QbA

— jackson caudell (@jacksoncaudell) February 4, 2023

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