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Georgia Tech Snaps Four-Game Losing Streak, Defeats Syracuse 65-60

Originally posted on FanNation All Yellow Jackets
By Jackson Caudell | Last updated 2/17/24

The losing streak is now over for Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets snapped their four-game losing streak today when they were able to hold on vs Syracuse 65-60. Miles Kelly and Baye Ndongo both had nice days with double-doubles and Kyle Sturdivant had some big moments in the second half to help Georgia Tech win the game

It was not just the individual performances of those players though. The defense held Syracuse scoreless for the last 5:50 of the game and they missed their last six shots.

Now, Georgia Tech is 11-14 and will head into their home matchup with Clemson on a winning streak.

Georgia Tech opted to stick with their lineup of Nait George, Miles Kelly, Kowacie Reeves, Baye Ndongo, and Tafara Gapare tonight vs the Orange tonight.

The game did not start off in the Yellow Jackets' favor. Syracuse got off to a 9-2 run and Georgia Tech was having a hard time finding any offense. It would be a 1-7 start for Georgia Tech, with the only made shot being a three from Kelly. Over the next five minutes though, Georgia Tech would respond by hitting five of their next seven shots and they took a small 17-16 lead.

The two teams would go back and forth, but it was Georgia Tech who would lead the game 34-30 at the half. Kelly had nine points to lead the way while both Gapare and Ndongo had eight each. Georgia Tech shot 43% from the floor in the first half and 44% from three.

Syracuse shot 36% from the field and a putrid 18% from three. Georgia Tech's advantage from three was a huge reason they held the lead.

Through the first nine minutes of the first half, it looked like Georgia Tech was going to start pulling away and put Syracuse away early. They were leading 48-38 with 11:24 left and the Yellow Jackets were in the midst of a 12-2 run.

Syracuse was not going to go away quietly though. The Orange would respond with a 10-4 run and with 7:13 left, Georgia Tech's lead was cut down to four. Just a little over a minute later, Syracuse would take a 55-54 lead.

Then, Georgia Tech's second half here took over.

Kyle Sturdivant had a huge second half and one of his biggest shots was the three-pointer to take the lead after Syracuse got it back. It was going to be an interesting finish in Atlanta with the game tied 57-57 with 3:54.

It looked like Syracuse was going to tie the game again after another foul was called on Sturdivant, but Syracuse split the pair and Georgia Tech remained in front. It would remain 59-58 with under a minute remaining and it was going to be up to one of the offenses to start hitting shots again.

Kelly hit the next big shot to give Georgia Tech a three-point lead 61-58 with 31 seconds left and Syracuse would not be able to get close. Georgia Tech closed the game out and was able to end their four-game winning streak.

For the game, Georgia Tech shot 39% from the field and 28% from three. Kelly (16 points and 10 rebounds) and Ndongo (16 points and 11 rebounds) had big double-doubles, while Sturdivant finished with 17. He had 12 points in the second half and made some big shots in the game's biggest moments.

Syracuse shot 37% from the field and 16% from three. Georgia Tech held a massive advantage in rebounding, 49-28, but they also lost the turnover battle by a big margin, 17-7. Syracuse scored only 16 points off those turnovers and if they had been able to capitalize on more of those opportunities, it would have been a tough night for Georgia Tech.

Next up for the Yellow Jackets is their second game with Clemson. This game will be at home on Wednesday night and we will see if the two teams can replicate their instant double-overtime classic from earlier this season.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Yellow Jackets and was syndicated with permission.

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