Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets Take Down Hokies

After Georgia Tech’s 27 point win over Miami, the Jackets kept the momentum going Tuesday night, with a 69-53 victory over #16 ranked Virginia Tech.

The game started slow, with the Jackets not picking up their first points until a Moses Wright three at the 15:38 mark. Things did not pick up much from there, with both teams clawing towards a 24-24 halftime score. The second half got off to a much quicker start. Mike Devoe started the scoring with a corner three-pointer just 12 seconds into the half. That basket was the start of a 17-4 run to open the second half which led to a 13 point Georgia Tech lead. The Hokies weren’t done though, using an 8-0 run of their own to cut the lead down to 6 by the 7:20 mark of the half, but the Jackets countered right back, putting their foot on the gas and never looking back.

Moses Wright had a career night, dropping 26 points on 9-11 shooting. Wright also added 10 rebounds to pick up his 5th double-double of the season. Tech’s backcourt duo of Mike Devoe and Jose Alvarado both also scored in double digits, scoring 12 points and 13 points respectively. Khalid Moore, who was held scoreless for the majority of the game, scored a pair of massive baskets late in the second half to keep Virginia Tech out of reach. On back to back possessions, he knocked down a three-pointer and then an and-one tough finish.

The Jackets played outstanding defense once again. After holding Miami to just 20 field goals, the lowest mark any team had scored against Georgia Tech all season, Virginia Tech made just 19. The Hokies also coughed the ball up 16 times. 11 of those turnovers came in the first half, one of the key reasons Georgia Tech was able to stay in the game during the opening period, despite struggling offensively.

The win was a milestone win for the program as it marked the first time the team had won back to back road games since 2011 and the first time reaching that achievement in ACC play since 2008. The win was the Jackets fourth victory of the season over a ranked opponent. Prior to tonight’s loss, Virginia Tech was 5-0 in ACC play at home.

Don’t look now, but this win puts Tech firmly in the bubble discussion for the NCAA tournament. Entering today, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Tech in his “next 4 out” category. A commanding road victory like this will surely move the Jackets closer to that bubble and it will be interesting to see which national experts start to include them in the discussion.

Next up for Georgia Tech is a return home to take on Syracuse on Saturday. That game will tip off from McCamish Pavilion at 12:00 PM ET.