Georgia Tech is not to be trifled with.
The Yellow Jackets took down their third Top 25 team Saturday, dropping No. 14 Notre Dame by a 62-60 score at McCamish Pavilion.
In a taut matchup in which neither team led by more than 10 points, the outcome was decided in the final minute. Guard Josh Okogie, whose playing time was limited to 18 minutes because of foul trouble, scored the game-winning basket on a layup as time expired, eliciting a full-throated roar from the Tech crowd. With the scored tied at 60, Okogie had missed two free throws with 35.8 seconds remaining, giving Notre Dame a chance to take the lead.
However, guard Matt Farrell missed a tough jumper, which was rebounded by guard Tadric Jackson, who dribbled upcourt before finding Okogie upcourt. Okogie raced in from the wing, barely beating the buzzer.
Before a full house that included Tech legends Bobby Cremins and Jarrett Jack, Tech built on their Wednesday upset of No. 6 Florida State with another exemplary defensive performance. Notre Dame, which came into the game shooting 46.9 percent from the field, was held to 40.4 percent on 23-for-57 shooting.
Tech (13-8 overall, 5-4 ACC) has beaten three AP Top 25 teams, North Carolina, Florida State and Notre Dame, all at McCamish. Notre Dame (17-5, 6-3) was held to its second lowest point total of the season.
Jackson led the Jackets with a career-high 25 points, scoring on drives, post-ups and from the perimeter. Center Ben Lammers went all 40 minutes for the first time in his career and added 15 points with 10 rebounds, three assists and five blocks. It was his 11th double-double of the season. Guard Josh Heath handed out eight assists and came up with five steals, a career high.
Notre Dame led 19-9 at the 11:47 mark of the first half, but the Jackets began to assert themselves defensively. Tech gained the lead for first time at 26-25 with 4:54 left in the half.
