Georgia Tech escapes upset vs. UNC Asheville

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Scott Cross. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Georgia Tech escapes upset vs. UNC Asheville thanks to unbelievable mistake

By Pearson Gillam | Last updated Nov 14, 2026 8:19 PM ET

Even on days when the college basketball schedule is lackluster, the madness finds a way to show up.

Georgia Tech entered Saturday’s matchup against UNC Asheville as a 17.5-point favorite but had to claw its way back to a 75-74 victory.

Sophomore Myles Mayfield scored 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting, as the Bulldogs led by 14 with under 10 minutes remaining. However, the Yellow Jackets fought back and hit a pair of free throws to take a 74-71 lead in the waning seconds.

After Connor Dubsky drained a game-tying 3-pointer with three seconds left, the game appeared to be heading into overtime. But Mayfield thought UNC Asheville was still trailing and intentionally fouled Georgia Tech’s Victor Valdes.

With the Yellow Jackets in the double bonus, Valdes hit one free throw to win the game.

Conor Dubsky (@ConnorDubsky) hit the heroic 3 with 2 seconds left for UNC Asheville to TIE but then one of the Bulldogs INTENTIONALLY FOULED with a 1.8 remaining, giving Georgia tech the W on free throws ‍♂️ https://t.co/ZOGEf7plQo
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) November 14, 2026

Coach Scott Cross’ team narrowly avoided the upset on a day when it shot 37 percent from the field and an abysmal 52% percent from the free-throw line. Georgia Tech is 4-0, with its first true test coming against Georgia on Nov. 20. It’s the first time since the 1946-47 season that a first-year coach has won his first four games at Georgia Tech.

As for the Bulldogs, it’s their third loss of the season, this one the most devastating.

Pearson Gillam

I am a writer from Atlanta, Georgia, who attends Oklahoma State University. I am majoring in Sports Media and have experience covering the school's track and field team for the local newspaper. I have expertise in college football and college basketball, but I also enjoy the NFL, cross-country running, and track and field.

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