An unexpected result to nearly all save the most optimistic supporter, Georgia Tech dropped an anvil on Florida State Wednesday night. Powered by a first half that was played with precision and energy on defense, the Yellow Jackets ran the No. 6 Seminoles out of McCamish Pavilion with a 78-56 win, arguably the most impressive win since the arena was christened in 2012.
With a lockdown performance from the tip, Tech led by as many as 28 in the first half against Florida State, a team that had risen into the top 10 by winning five of its previous six games, all against ranked teams.
The Yellow Jackets earned their second win over an AP top-10 team following their 75-63 win over then-No. 9 North Carolina on New Year’s Eve. A team picked to finish 14th in the ACC improved to 12-8 overall and 4-4 in the ACC. FSU (18-3, 6-2) fell after winning 14 of its past 15.
Coming back from a three-game road stretch, Tech led 41-15 at the half, the second-fewest points that the Jackets have allowed an ACC opponent in school history.
Guard Josh Okogie poured in 35 points, the second 30-plus game of his freshman season. Okogie was effective from the perimeter and driving to the basket, and showed his effort with a career-high 14 rebounds, a superior number for a shooting guard. His five assists were also a career high.
He brought the building to its feet with a breakaway dunk after rebounding a Florida State miss and helped thwart an early second-half rally by FSU when he was fouled on a last-ditch 3-point attempt as the shot clock ran down. His three makes pushed the lead back to 49-24.
