Georgia Tech's Upset Bid Against NC State Falls Short

Georgia Tech could finish off the upset against NC State

Georgia Tech came into this game against NC State off of two of the worst losses in the Josh Pastner era and NC State is a team trying to rise in the ACC standings. The Wolfpack were big favorites, but Georgia Tech provided a much tougher test than expected. 

However, the effort was not good enough. Tech let NC State dominate the end of the game and the Wolfpack escaped with a 72-64 win. The loss is the ninth straight for the Yellow Jackets and Georgia Tech will remain at the bottom of the ACC standings. 

The game started out great in the first half for the Yellow Jackets. Lance Terry was back in the lineup for Georgia Tech and he made a big difference in this game for the offense, at least in the first half. The two teams traded baskets until Georgia Tech opened up an 18-point lead, 19-11. 

It was a balanced effort from Georgia Tech in the early going. Kyle Sturdivant, Terry, Ja'von Franklin, and Miles Kelly each doing their part. NC State responded with a 9-3 run to cut the lead to 22-20, but Georgia Tech was able to keep the Wolfpack at arm's length until the end of the half. 

Georgia Tech has now lost nine straight games  / Georgia Tech Athletics

One common theme from this season has been Georgia Tech giving up big runs, especially toward the end of the first half of games. This time, the Yellow Jackets gave up a 12-2 run in the last 2:59 of the first half. NC State hit their last three field goals and Georgia Tech did not score in the last 2:43 of game time. 

At the half, Georgia Tech was shooting 47% and 42% from three. They committed eight turnovers compared to five from NC State. The Wolfpack narrowly won the rebounding battle 17-16. NC State shot 52% from the field and 36% from three. 

The defense for the Yellow Jackets held NC Star guard Terquavion Smith to only three points and 1-6 from the field. The problem was they allowed the rest of the NC State offense to flourish. 

Halftime stats pic.twitter.com/pX7z4J5QbA

— jackson caudell (@jacksoncaudell) February 4, 2023

NC State increased their lead to nine points, but not before Georgia Tech responded with a 15-4 run of their own and the Yellow Jackets led 54-52. 

After going back and forth, Georgia Tech led 61-58, but that is when the next big run from NC State came. 

The Wolfpack got an 11-0 run from their offense and that is what won them the game 72-64. 

For the game, Georgia Tech outplayed NC State in most categories. The Yellow Jackets shot 44% from the field and 33% from three. NC State shot 42% from the field and 33% from three. 

The key stat is turnovers. Georgia Tech turned the ball over 16 times compared to NC State's nine. NC State scored 11 points off of Georgia Tech's turnovers. 

The Yellow Jackets had four players in double figures for the game. Sturdivant (13), Terry (10), Franklin (16), and Kelly (17). 

Up next for Georgia Tech is a home game with Notre Dame on Wednesday. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. 

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