Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets Down Hoosiers in NIT Opener
Ben Lammers did his usual damage in the NIT opener at home Tuesday night, helping his Yellow Jackets over Indiana.
Georgia Tech (18-15) led Indiana almost the entire game in the National Invitation Tournament opener Tuesday night at McCamish Pavilion, and a huge defensive night from Ben Lammers helped the Jackets to a 75-63 win over the Hoosiers.
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year had a massive night on the boards with six blocks and 11 rebounds. He also had eleven points and a pair of steals in the win and the double-double.
The Yellow Jackets went on a 15-0 run early in the game, before Indiana battled back to keep the first half close at 34-27, but the Hoosiers could never seem to get over the hump for a substantial, sustained lead.
.@GTMBB takes down Indiana to advance! Lammers adding a double-double in the win (11pts/11reb) plus 24pts by Okogie. #NIT #TogetherWeSwarm
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 15, 2017
All-ACC freshman guard Josh Okogie led all scorers in the game with 24 points for the Jackets. He went 9-for-15 on field goals and hit six of his nine free throws.
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Tadric Jackson had a big night for Georgia Tech as well, racking up 19 points, three steals, and a pair or rebounds. Quinton Stephens followed with 16 points, including four from beyond the arc.
Georgia Tech lost the rebound battle 35-32 but made some nice shots in transition, and the Jackets had only nine turnovers compared to 16 by the Hoosiers.
As a team, Tech shot 48.2 percent on field goals, and even beat Indiana by more than ten percent on three-pointers, going 7-for-19.
Possibly a big factor for the Yellow Jackets Tuesday night was a rowdy home crowd, including droves of students entering on free tickets purchased with the personal funds of Josh Pastner himself.
“This crowd was loud. I could barely hear my own guys. It was awesome.” - Quinton Stephens
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) March 15, 2017
The Yellow Jackets will await the winner of No. 2 seed Georgia and No. 7 seed Belmont on Wednesday night for their second round game. Georgia Tech lost to their arch rival Georgia Bulldogs 60-43 earlier in the regular season.
A No. 2 seed Georgia win would put the Jackets in Athens for the next round. If Belmont wins, Georgia Tech would host another game against the No. 7 seed. See the full NIT bracket HERE.