The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets would enter their first round NIT Tournament matchup knowing that the next time they lost, their season would end. Alas, the Yellow Jackets, even though they were favored by 6.5 points, would not be able to get an offensive rhythm going, resulting in a season-ending 81-64 loss to the Jacksonville Gamecocks.
They Yellow Jackets would get behind early, as the Gamecocks seemingly were making every shot they were putting up, while the Yellow Jackets would struggle to make baskets inside the paint. The Gamecocks would lead by as much as 14 points in the first half, heading into halftime up 45-33.
The Gamecocks would start the second half on fire, going on a 10-2 run, getting up 55-38. The Yellow Jackets would just never quite find their footing in the second half to attempt a comeback, as the Gamecocks would lead by as much as 24, before eventually winning the game 81-64.
The Yellow Jackets would finish with just 14 points in the paint in the entire game.
Duncan Powell and Lance Terry would lead the team in points, with both players dropping 15 points, while Powell added four rebounds, and Terry would grab four rebounds and three assists. Naithan George would score 14 points and add in a team-high five assists. While he came into the game expecting to have a big one, Baye Ndongo would struggle inside the paint, shooting 2-9, resulting in four points and grabbing five rebounds.
The Yellow Jackets now head into next season with questions around the board on players that can step up for the team and player a bigger role, with the biggest hole in the starting lineup left by Terry.