Jackets routed by N.C. State at home

All season Georgia Tech could at least say it was playing great defense. Even that fell apart Saturday.

Feasting on dunks and open 3-pointers, visiting N.C. State shot 61.4 percent and whipped the Yellow Jackets 86-65 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

The Wolfpack used the Jackets’ overaggressiveness against them. They exploited mismatches when Tech switched, cut hard to the basket and made 23 of 29 free throws.

N.C. State made seven of its first nine 3-point shots — while Tech was missing six layups — to turn an 11-5 deficit into a 42-26 lead.

Coach Paul Hewitt said the early failures from point-blank range “took something out of us.” They also prevented Tech from setting up its disruptive press and creating a fullcourt game.

“The way we started the game, we thought our pressure would bother ‘em. We got some steals and just missed some easy baskets around the lane. And they capitalized,” Hewitt said. “We missed a ton of layups today.”

Tech (10-14, 1-10) closed within three early in the second half, but committed five turnovers in a six-minute stretch, and the Wolfpack pulled away.

N.C. State (14-9, 4-6) put six players in double figures, led by forward Tracy Smith, who had game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tech had been holding opponents to a league-low 38.9 percent in ACC play.

“We just left people open,” said guard Iman Shumpert, who led Tech with 14 points. “We weren’t getting out to shooters, weren’t getting hands in people’s faces. We usually contest every shot and box out, and we didn’t do that at all.

“We definitely came out flat.”

Lewis Clinch scored 12 and Alade Aminu 11 as Tech shot 38.5 percent, only slightly below its average in ACC games. Leading scorer Gani Lawal, playing 22 minutes because of foul trouble, was held to seven points on 3-of-8 shooting. The ACC’s leading rebounder at 10.4 per game, Lawal grabbed three Saturday.

“I kind of got down when a couple things didn’t go my way, couple fouls didn’t get called, but I can’t do that,” Lawal said. “I’ve got to be more mature and keep playing through it. Definitely my energy was not where it normally is.”

Aminu sensed an overall energy deficit despite Tech’s 16 steals, the most ever by the Jackets in ACC play.

“We didn’t get back on a couple of plays, and we were lackadaisical getting to spots,” Aminu said. “Even though we’re not winning, we’ve got to keep our spirits up, keep fighting and play with a lot of energy.”

It was Tech’s fourth straight loss, and worst home defeat since they lost 73-51 to Illinois-Chicago in November 2005. It was only the third time this season Tech lost an ACC game by more than 7 points.

The Jackets visit Wake Forest, the only ACC team they have beaten, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.