Georgia Tech defeats Marist 87-76
Georgia Tech Edges Marist in Non-Conference Thriller
In a closely contested matchup, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (HOME) defeated the visiting Marist Red Foxes 87-76 at McCamish Pavilion on Thursday night.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish, with neither team able to pull away comfortably. The Yellow Jackets held a slim lead at halftime, up 44-36, but their home crowd's energy helped them maintain the advantage throughout the second half.
Kowacie Reeves Jr. led the way for Georgia Tech, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while contributing three assists. Lamar Washington chipped in with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists, helping his team control the tempo of the game.
For Marist, Elijah Lewis was the primary scorer, putting up 19 points on 50% shooting from the field. Jaden Daughtry added 11 points, while Jadin Collins-Roberts contributed seven assists.
The Yellow Jackets' success in the paint was a major factor in their win, as they outscored Marist 40-18 in that area. Georgia Tech's ability to convert on free throws also played a key role, with 13 successful attempts compared to just seven for the Red Foxes.
Advanced statistics suggest that Georgia Tech's shooting efficiency was slightly better than its opponent's, with an effective field goal percentage of 64.9% compared to Marist's 55.6%. The Yellow Jackets' free throw rate was also higher, at 29.8%, while their rebounding margin was narrow at just +9.
Despite the loss, Marist's performance was still impressive, particularly on the defensive end where they held Georgia Tech to just six steals and one block. However, the Red Foxes were unable to keep up with the Yellow Jackets' high-powered offense, which outscored them 17-20 in points off turnovers.
The win marks a significant milestone for Georgia Tech, as it moves their record to [insert record here]. The loss drops Marist's record to [insert record here], but they will look to bounce back against another tough opponent soon.