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Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball: Jackets look to build momentum

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: A general view as the ball goes in the basket during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets at Werribee Basketball Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: A general view as the ball goes in the basket during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets at Werribee Basketball Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) /
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After starting off ACC play with a win to Boston College and a loss to Notre Dame, the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team is looking to build momentum.

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley and Anthony Hartwig:

The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team started conference play on the right foot winning on the road 81-76 over Boston College. This was the first time in 6 seasons the Jackets have opened the ACC schedule with a win. Doing it on the road is an added bonus for a team who’s youth needs all the momentum it can get. Elizabeth Balogun and Elizabeth Dixon combined for 30 points and 27 rebounds in a game where the Jackets out-rebounded the Eagles 55-30.

On defense, the Jackets held the Eagles best scorer Emma Guy, who came in averaging 24 points per game to a total of 4 points. The Jackets lead for 37 minutes of the game on their way to their first conference win.

The Jackets then hosted the reigning national champion Notre Dame in their ACC home opener.  The game started off as well as coach Joseph could have wanted as the Jackets opened an 8-2 lead quickly. However, the Irish were quick to fire back going up 16-11 after the first quarter ended. The Irish surge was due in large part to their success in transition.

Irish point guard Arike Ogunbawale was surgical in her transition passes, slicing through the Jacket defense. The Jackets got into foul trouble and simply couldn’t maintain the level of play that they started out with. The Jackets did, however, hold the Irish pretty well in the half court sets. That reflects well in Notre Dame scoring below their season average. The Irish came away with a 76-55 win. Balugon led the Jackets with 14.

After the loss on Sunday, the Jackets started the new week on a positive note as Elizabeth Balugon notched her 3rd ACC Rookie of the week honor. Her dominate start to conference play surely helped her cause as she dropped 18 points on Boston College and also dominated the glass with 17 rebounds, which was her first career double-double.

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The league office must also have been impressed with the freshman’s ability to lead her team against Notre Dame. She nearly averaged a double-double on the week (16 points per game 9.5 rebounds per game). Balogun is certainty earning widespread respect across the ACC and hopes to continue her strong play as the season goes on.

The Jackets return to action Thursday as they host Duke and then travel to 2nd ranked Louisville on Sunday. Both games can be seen on ACC Network Extra.