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Georgia Tech Basketball Quick Recap: Jackets can’t hold off Virginia in 64-62 loss

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

Jan 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jose Alvarado (10) calls a play against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jose Alvarado (10) calls a play against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Tech men’s basketball team gave the No. 13 ranked Virginia Cavaliers all they had on Saturday night but it wasn’t enough as the Jackets fell in a heartbreaker,  64-62.

Early on in Saturday’s game for Georgia Tech, it looked like the Jackets may pick up their first win over Virginia since 2016 and their first win in Charlottesville since 2008. The Jackets led for most of the first half and was having success on both ends of the court against the ACC’s top team.

However, the Jackets saw their 36-32 half time lead, and at one point 49-38 lead early in the second half quickly evaporate. After taking that 49-38 lead with 15:27 remaining in the second half, the Jackets were outscored 22-7 with Virginia senior forward Sam Hauser picking up half of those points for the Cavaliers. With

Trailing 60-56 with 3:31 remaining in the game, the Jackets didn’t go away quietly but also just didn’t have enough left in the tank to find a way to win the hard-fought game. They would tie the game at 62-62 with 1:28 left when Moses Wright sank a three off an inbounds pass as the shot clock expired but that would be the last time the Jackets would score in the game. A Kihei Clark jumper on Virginia’s next possession would put the Cavaliers back up 64-62 which would go onto be the final score though Michael Devoe rather narrowly just missed a game-winning buzzer-beater.

Overall, the last 15 minutes of the game were marred by the Jackets’ struggles offensively, picking up just 13 points over the last 15 minutes after scoring 13 in the first four and half minutes of the second half. Poor shot selection and execution overall was the story of those offensively struggles, that being said, the Jackets still shot well for the game, making 45.3% of their shots for the game, including 60% (9-of-15) from beyond the arch.

Jose Alvarado had a strong performance, totaling 20-points, eight assists, and six steals. He shot 7-for-12 from the floor including 4-for-5 from beyond the arch.  Jordan Usher continued playing his best basketball as a Yellow Jacket, totaling 19 points in the losing effort to go along with six rebounds. He shot 7-of-11 from the floor including 2-for-4 from three-point range. He was also 3-for-4 at the line.

Moses Wright was the only other Yellow Jacket to have a double-digit effort, he dropped 13 points in the loss. Michael Devoe, coming off a tremendous performance against Clemson, struggled shooting against Virginia, hitting just one of eight shots he took, he finished with just three points.

The loss for the Yellow Jackets will be one that stings. It was a tremendous opportunity to pick up a signature win for the season and cement themselves as one of the ACC’s top teams. Even with the loss, they still may have done just that but a win would’ve done wonders for this team’s confidence but also their perception around the country. A win would’ve given the Jackets a great chance of being ranked in the top-25 this upcoming week.

For the Jackets, the loss drops them to 7-4 on the season and 3-2 in conference play. They’ll look to get back into the win column on Tuesday when they face Duke. The Blue Devils are in the midst of a struggle, losing three-straight including a 70-65 loss to Louisville on Saturday night. On the season, Duke is 5-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.