The SMU win was never in doubt from early on in the game.
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team suffered a tough defeat on Saturday, falling 93-71 to SMU in a game that was all but decided by halftime and you could argue even before that. The Mustangs’ relentless offense and stifling defense proved too much for the Yellow Jackets, who struggled early and were unable to recover.
SMU set the tone from the opening tip, sinking three quick three-pointers to put Georgia Tech on its heels. Within the first five minutes, all five SMU starters had found the scoring column, highlighting the Mustangs’ balanced attack. Utilizing the pick-and-roll to perfection, SMU continually generated open looks, whether from beyond the arc or at the rim. By halftime, the Mustangs held a commanding 50-19 lead, leaving Georgia Tech with a monumental deficit.
In the first half, SMU’s efficiency was unmatched. The Mustangs shot 56% from the field, including 8-of-14 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech struggled mightily, hitting just 29% of its shots and going 1-of-7 from deep. Adding to the Jackets’ woes were 15 first-half turnovers, which SMU converted into 21 points.
The Yellow Jackets showed signs of life in the second half, outscoring SMU 52-43. Georgia Tech finally found its rhythm from beyond the arc, sinking eight three-pointers after the break. However, the deficit proved insurmountable. McCollum led the charge with 20 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, with 15 of those points coming in the second half. Lance Terry, Nait George, and Duncan Powell also reached double figures.
The game took a physical turn midway through the second half when Georgia Tech’s Baye Ndongo was ejected for a flagrant two foul. Despite this setback, the Yellow Jackets continued to compete, but the outcome was never in doubt.
The loss serves as a reminder of the challenges Georgia Tech faces this season with maintaining consistency on both ends of the floor. While the second-half effort was encouraging, the Jackets have a lot to address to find success moving forward.
Georgia Tech will look to bounce back in their next game as they return home to face Clemson on Tuesday.