Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets can’t capitalize late, fall to Canes

The Yellow Jackets fell to 2-8 on the road with a 70-61 loss at Miami on Wednesday night. Tech kept it close all night, and had more than a few openings late, but couldn’t capitalize on mistakes by the Hurricanes.

Georgia Tech (15-11, 6-7 ACC) trailed Miami (17-8, 7-6) at the half 38-32, but got off to a strong start in the second. The Jackets kept the game manageable throughout, but just couldn’t seem to hit the shots or keep control of the basketball down the stretch.

The usual suspects contributed most in Tech’s latest conference loss as Ben Lammers posted 15 points and Josh Okogie put up 18 for the Yellow Jackets. Davon Reed‘s 21 points, along with 13 each from Dewan Huell and Dejan Vasiljevic off the bench for Miami, however, gave the Hurricanes the edge.

Coming on strong down the stretch, Huell scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half for the Hurricanes.

Shorthanded Miami was already playing without Ja’Quan Newton, who is out on suspension, when Ebuka Izundu went down with a leg injury within the first few minutes of the second half.

Ben Lammers hit a rare three pointer in the first half, under pressure as the shot clock expired. It was only the second three the big man had attempted all season, and the first he made. A dozen of Okogie’s points came off four three pointers.

Josh Pastner’s crew, fresh off a huge comeback win over Boston College at home on Saturday, was tied 43-43 with the Canes with just over 16:00 left in the game, but just couldn’t seem to maintain a lead down the stretch.

Georgia Tech was outrebounded by Miami 31-17, and lost the turnover battle to the Hurricanes 17-12.

A few notable Yellow Jacket alums were in attendance in Coral Gables in Chris Bosh, Kenny Anderson and Marvin Lewis, but it wasn’t enough to inspire Tech to a win.

Bolstering its NCAA Tournament hopes, the Hurricanes moved to 17-8 on the season with the win over the Yellow Jackets.

Next Up:

After traveling back from Miami, the Jackets will be off until Sunday when they will host Syracuse on Sunday at McCamish Pavilion in what has been designated a whiteout game for fans. The game will continue Tech’s ACC schedule that takes the Jackets through the end of the season.

Next: Yellow Jackets Now In Race For Four-Star Forward

Georgia Tech and Syracuse haven’t faced off yet this season. The Yellow Jackets and the Orange last played back in January of 2016 in a 60-57 home win for Syracuse. According to Georgia Tech Athletics, the game is a sellout. Interestingly, Tech and Syracuse will face off again in New York to cap the 2016-17 regular season on March 4.