Tech’s men’s basketball team kicked off its season with a win over Florida A&M this past Saturday. The No. 21 Jackets were able to overtake the Rattlers with the score of 100-59.
The Jackets led 16-8 before going on a run where they put up 14 unanswered points. At the end of the first half, Tech was leading 50-21 and had control of the game.
Several players were able to get plenty of playing time, especially in the second half. Thirteen players took the court for the Jackets, and all but two played for at least 10 minutes.
Both junior Gani Lawal and freshman Derrick Favors were perfect in their free throws on the day, as Lawal was 4-4 and Favors was 2-2. Tech basketball struggled during some instances in the free throw department last season, but shot a solid 70 percent in this first game this year.
Freshman Brian Oliver was able to sink four three-pointers on the day. Oliver played for 13 minutes, scoring the 12 points along the way. All four of his three-pointers were in the game’s final 10 minutes.
Other big numbers on the day came from sophomore guard Iman Shumpert, who scored a team-high 18 points; Lawal, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds; and Favors, who posted 10 points and eight rebounds.
Along with Favors, Lawal and Shumpert, the other starters were freshman guard Mfon Udofia and redshirt senior wing guard D’Andre Bell.
Bell missed last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Bell was considered one of the team’s best defenders in the past and has earned a starting spot.
Senior Zach Peacock did not start but played for 15 minutes and finish with eight points.
Udofia and freshman Glen Rice Jr. had nine and seven points respectively. Hewitt put his four active freshmen on the floor often, and all four had solid games.
The Jackets are currently in Puerto Rico competing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Tip-Off, which began yesterday and will run through Sunday. Recaps for each day’s action are and will be available on nique.net.