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Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets Fall on the Road Against Pittsburgh

By Bronston Tankersley

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets talks to his team against the Louisville Cardinals at Hank McCamish Pavilion on January 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets talks to his team against the Louisville Cardinals at Hank McCamish Pavilion on January 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball fell to 11-13 overall after battling Pittsburgh on Saturday falling 73 to 64 on the road.

The Georgia Tech basketball team got off to a nice start against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first half, but quickly fell back into bad season-long habits. Turnovers and fouls lost the Yellow Jackets the lead and they fell behind 28 to 24 by the end of the half.

The Yellow Jackets managed to get to the free throw line only once in the first half and gave up the ball 12 times. The costly turnovers helped the Panthers catch up and eventually take the lead. Despite shooting really well, 45.5%, the Jackets still managed to find themselves in a familiar situation.

The Jackets would continue to try and play catch up the rest of the game, but still fall short on the road. Despite shooting really well, the Yellow Jackets couldn’t overcome their 22 total turnovers and 25 fouls. Pittsburgh contributed to most of those turnovers, stealing the ball 11 times.

Michael Devoe led the team with 22 points and 7 assists. Two of Tech’s impact players this season, Moses Wright and Jose Alvarado, got into foul trouble early and contributed less than usual. James Banks helped tremendously defensively tallying 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Pittsburgh’s Justin Champagnie had an incredible performance offensively for the Panthers going for 30 points and 9 rebounds. Champagnie seemed to be the deciding factor of the game as Georgia Tech could not find an answer to stop him. Champagnie only averaged 11.7 points per game before today’s game.

Georgia Tech has been a potential “bubble team” in the ACC looking forward to March, but after today’s road loss to Pittsburgh, their chances may be in jeopardy. The Jackets will look to improve their chances when they host top-5 nationally ranked Louisville next Wednesday at home.