Georgia Tech Rolls Over UTRGV

Yellow Jackets Dominate Early to Vanquish the Visiting Vaqueros

Georgia Tech (3-1) used a stifling defensive presence early to build an impressive lead that they then rode to a 72-44 win over the visiting Vaqueros of Texas on Wednesday Thanksgiving eve at McCamish Pavilion . Coach Lew Hill from the Rio Grande Valley campus of the University Texas might have wondered if his team’s offense had been left on the plane. They hit only 2 of 24 field goal attempts in the first half, including 1 of 11 from 3-point range. Hill did say that Tech’s length bothered his team throughout the game But that did not explain the 6 of 16 first- half mark his team produced at the free-throw line. The first half total of 11 points for UTRGV was the lowest first half total Georgia Tech has allowed since 1949.

Tech guard Curtis Haywood said his team came out with high energy, determined to play tough defense. " That’s Tech basketball", said Haywood. The only lagging number in Tech’s first half of work was a yield 7 offensive rebounds to their smaller foe.

In contrast to the defense , the Yellow Jackets’ first half offense started a little slowly before picking up steam with decent shooting (14-26) plus 9 of 10 at the line. Tech used a 15-0 run late in the half to build a 31 point margin at the break. Leading scorers for the Yellow Jackets in the first half included forward Moses Wright with 8 and freshman guard Michael Devoe with 9. Tech was 5 of 10 from 3-point range .

Tech Coach Josh Pastner noted his team had a bit of a letdown in the 2nd half, especially defensively where they allowed 33 points to the same team they’d just held to 11 in the first half. Pastner considered that to be an understandable side effect of such a dominant first half, saying of his team, "They’re not robots." However, he stressed that maintaining high intensity for the full game is an ongoing goal and will be vital in ACC play.

Intensity wasn’t the only 2nd half drop-off for the home ream . Tech’s shooting accuracy also fell in all categories: field goals, 3-pointers and free -throws. The errant 3- balls were particularly eye-catching, given that Pastner has said repeatedly he wants the long-shot offense to be a big part of Tech’s game this season. He was ok with the shot selection his team showed throughout the game, but wasn’t happy with 1 of 11 shooting 3-point in the second half.

Pastner used this game to empty his bench. 14 Jackets saw time on the floor. 9 of them logged over 12 minutes. Notably, Tech point guard Jose Alvarado did not start. Pastner cited "internal " reasons for the move. He elaborated no more except to say it was a one game issue. Michael Devoe led the Jackets scoring with 14 points on the night , just his 4th game as a collegian. .Pastner noted that Devoe is growing more comfortable overall, but has work to do, especially on defense.

Georgia Tech continues its non-conference schedule by taking on Prairie View on Friday at 4pm at McCamish.

Captions:

1) Tech Coach Josh Pastner praised his team’s first half effort.

2) Tech’s Jose Alvarado scored 12 points, including 3 of 6 from the line.

3) Yellow Jacket Guard Brandon Alston was 3 of 5 from the field on the night.

Patrick Conarro