The Jackets lost in their conference opener to Boston College at Alexander Memeorial Coliseum. This was the Jackets first loss at AMC all season and snapped Tech’s eight-game winning streak. The Eagles scored a last-second lay-up in overtime to defeat the Yellow Jackets.
“Anytime you miss 10 free throws, you’re going to have a hard time winning in the ACC,” said MaChelle Joseph, head coach of the women’s basketball team.
Sophomore forward Alex Montgomery scored 22 points and garnered 9 rebounds to lead Tech’s offense. Thereafter, the Jackets went into a bad slump while succeeding in just 2 of the 15 consecutive shots.
“I tell the kids that we’re on a journey to find success and the best we can be and those two things. We have to hit free throws and defensive stops,” Joseph said.
After trailing behind 30-25 at halftime, the Jackets improved upon their defensive skills. Tech did not allow a single point in the last 3:22 of the second half. Sophomore guard Deja Foster tied the game at 55 to force the game into overtime.
Overall, the Jackets shot less than forty percent from the floor and less sixty percent from the foul line. The Jackets also missed 21 second-chance points.
“Part of getting defensive stops is getting the rebound,” Joseph said.
“[The Eagles] are an experienced team… That’s what great players do – they make a play,” Joseph said.
Tech defeated the Miami Hurricanes on the road last Monday. Sophomore forward Alex Montgomery and senior guard Jacqua Williams each scored 18 points in the 68-50 victory.
With the win the No. 24/25 Jackets moved to 13-3 overall and 1-1 in conference. With the win the Jacket maintain the home winning straek against
Montgomery, who earned her fourth double-double of the season, also picked up 11 rebounds.
Numerous turnovers and a fifty percent free throw percentage proved to be the drawbacks to the Jackets’ first half playing.
Despite trailing by just four points at the half, the Jackets mounted a comeback in the second. Tech out-rebounded their opponent 16-11 in the second twenty minutes of play. The Jackets also went on a 15-0 run with 14:00 left in the second half. Tech closed out the half by scoring 15 of the last 17 points from the free-throw line.
Tech plays at Florida State this Sunday and then hosts No. 2 UNC on Thursday before taking on No.4/10 Duke in N.C.