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Georgia Tech (14-16, 5-12) just broke a 4-game losing streak and won its 5th ACC game in 17 tries by walking into the Carrier Dome and beating Syracuse (26-4, 13-4) on Senior Night.
Go ahead and fact check that, because yes, you did read that right.
In a game that reminds me a lot of the March win in Coral Gables last year, Georgia Tech has lifted some spirits around the program with a miraculous road win against a top-10 conference opponent that nobody would have predicted. The Jackets came in on a 4-game losing streak to take on a team that won 25 straight to start the season in their own building on Senior Night, and walked out with a huge victory. It was no fluke, either. Georgia Tech never trailed in the final 33 minutes of the game. They took an 8-point lead into halftime, and never trailed again despite some late-game drama. It was all reconciled by a Trae Golden special, knocking down 6 straight clutch free throws to nail down the victory. The senior PG ended with 16 points (8-8 FT), 3 assists, and 3 rebounds in what was a great effort. Daniel Miller contributed 15 points, 6 blocks, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists of his own, complimented by Robert Carter Jr.'s 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Kam Holsey would add 9 points off the bench.
Late in the game, the lead began slipping away as the Jackets panicked while Syracuse applied pressure and knocked down a few big shots. Brian Gregory did some excellent coaching in the final 3 minutes though, putting his players in the right positions to beat the pressure and be in position to win.
It was only Georgia Tech's 5th conference win in 17 tries, but by far their biggest of the entire season. It really couldn't have come at a better time, either, given the heavy criticism the team has received in recent weeks. Now, the Jackets return home for Senior Day on Saturday as they take on Virginia Tech (9-19, 2-14), in hopes of getting one game closer to a .500 mark on the season.
Watch the game? Excited about how this team played? Did it catch you completely off guard, or did you know they had it in them? Does this change your opinion on Brian Gregory at all?
