There was no chance for Georgia Tech to lose in the final minute Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets took care of that by pulling away from No. 23 Miami to earn their first ACC win of the season after seven consecutive losses by a 70-50 score.
After running out to an early lead at the BankUnited Center, leading by 14 eight minutes into the game, the Jackets held on down the stretch, effectively defeating Miami’s pressure with smart passing and keeping the Hurricanes from scoring for nearly 4 ½ minutes to secure the victory. Forward Marcus Georges-Hunt, the hero of Tech’s win at then-No. 6 Miami in 2013, reprised the role with 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting to go with six rebounds.
For one night, at least, Tech (10-10 overall, 1-7 ACC) made good on the potential it had shown through its first seven ACC games. In five of the losses, the scoring margin was three points or less at the one-minute mark of the second half.
Forward Quinton Stephens’ assurance after the loss Sunday to Boston College that “we’re going to break through this wall” proved accurate Wednesday. Tech avoided the lapses and bad breaks that had sent them to defeat in the first seven ACC games. The Jackets took advantage of transition opportunities, were hot at the line (18 for 22) and kept turnovers to a manageable 10. Miami (14-7, 4-4) shot 34.5 percent from the field and was held to its second-lowest point total.
It was Tech’s third road win over a ranked team in coach Brian Gregory’s tenure, following wins over top-10 opponents Miami in 2013 and Syracuse last season. Perhaps moreover, it was a critical win for a team that had continued to give effort and play solid defense despite the frustrating results.
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