Georgia Tech 1-2 in ACC, opens new year with Boston College at home Saturday

The last day of 2024 saw the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets win their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game of the season after defeating visiting Notre Dame 86-75. The victory was the second consecutive victory for the Yellow Jackets.

On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Yellow Jackets will play back-to-back ACC games for the first time this season when the Boston College Eagles come to town. Georgia Tech, 7-4 at McCamish Pavilion this season, has played the large majority of their games on campus thus far. Following the game against the Eagles, head coach Damon Stoudamire, his staff, and the Yellow Jackets will play consecutive road games at Syracuse and at SMU on Jan. 7 and 11. 

The Yellow Jackets’ experienced players were the difference in the game against Notre Dame. Senior Lance Terry scored six straight points for the Yellow Jackets during a drought that saw the Fighting Irish go on 11-0 and 11-3 runs. Asked about having players like Terry who have played under pressure in multiple situations, Georgia Tech head coach Damon Stoudamire said, “I’d do anything for Lance.”

Georgia Tech started the game against Notre Dame strong, going ahead 7-1 following a layup by sophomore guard Nathan George. The Toronto native had a tough shooting night against Alabama A&M on Saturday, but did lead the team with 10 assists. Georgia Tech had a season-high 27 assists during the 92-49 victory.

Notre Dame would pull closer, even taking their only lead of the first half at 12-11 before the Yellow Jackets saw senior Javian McCollum and sophomore Baye Ndongo go on mini-scoring runs to take the lead back and keep it heading into halftime. Georgia Tech led 43-24 at halftime and much of the credit for that could be evenly dispersed amongst the team. McCollum scored 10, Ndongo had eight, George added nine points, junior Duncan Powell scored seven points, and Terry had five points, respectively.  

Consecutive three-pointers from Notre Dame freshman guard and head coach Micah Shrewsberry’s son Braeden Shrewsberry brought the Fighting Irish to within seven points at the 12:29 mark of the second half. About his team’s fight during the second half, Shrewsberry said they have to be ready to do that at the start of the games. “That’s on me,” he said. “Credit to Georgia Tech. I thought Damon had his guys ready to go.”

At that point in the game Yellow Jacket freshman Jaeden Mustaf had more personal fouls (3) than points (2). Mustaf came into the game averaging just under 10 points per game. In order for Georgia Tech to remain competitive in the ACC they will need much better starts from Mustaf, a highly regarded recruit coming out of Overtime Elite in Atlanta. 

Notre Dame would get as close at five points near the eight-minute mark before Powell and McCollum, the Yellow Jackets most experienced players (both have played for multiple college basketball programs before matriculating to Atlanta) calmed things down. Powell scored 14  points during the second half. He did miss several crucial free throws late in the game, but dunked home two points that put the home team in front by 11 points with 2:41 to play in the game. Powell even drew an offensive foul while fighting through a Notre Dame screen late in the game. 

After the game, Powell said he enjoys playing in “high intensity” games. “Whenever I quit thinking and just let my point guards find me, I play better and things like that happen,” said Powell.

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