In its lone exhibition game of the preseason, No. 17 Georgia Tech demonstrated a little bit of the work put in to become a more prolific 3-point shooting team. Led by guard Sarah Bates, the Yellow Jackets scored 41% of their points from beyond the arc in their 74-53 win over Division II Clayton State on Monday night at McCamish Pavilion.
Bates, returning from a season-ending injury that limited her to 11 games last season, came off the bench to score 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting, all from 3-point range. She tied for game-high scoring honors with guard Eylia Love, whose 21 points were generated by 8-for-14 shooting from the field and a 5-for-6 performance from the line. Bates scored 18 of her 21 in the first half.
Better and more 3-point shooting has been a focus for coach Nell Fortner in the offseason and preseason as she has sought to invigorate the Tech offense as the Jackets seek to improve on their third-place finish in the ACC and the team’s second Sweet 16 appearance in school history. Last season, the Jackets shot 31.8% from 3-point range – 10th in the ACC – and made 5.7 3-pointers a game, 11th in the conference.
As a team, the Jackets were 10-for-27 from behind the arc, 37%.
Forward Digna Strautmane, a transfer from Syracuse using her extra season of eligibility after starting four seasons for the Orange, scored two points with five rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench.
Tech opens its season Nov. 9 at Central Michigan. The home opener will come Nov. 11 against Kennesaw State.
Clayton State was led by guard Hannah Wright’s 12 points.
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