Georgia Tech didn’t exactly cruise through the first half against Eastern Kentucky, but the Yellow Jackets found their gear after the break and used it to turn a one-point halftime deficit into an 80-71 win that pushed them to 3-0 on the season.
The biggest reason for the separation was simple: Georgia Tech owned the second half on the glass and around the rim. The Yellow Jackets grabbed seven offensive rebounds after halftime, finished with a +20 edge on the boards, and outworked Eastern Kentucky in the paint when the game tightened up.
Tylis Jordan was at the center of it all. He gave Georgia Tech a lift when the Yellow Jackets were down 19-9, using his defense to help swing momentum back.
His perimeter pressure led to steals, and he turned that defense into offense by running the floor and finishing at the rim. Jordan had 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals in the first half alone, then closed with 27 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two assists.
He’s beginning to look like a steady two-way force for Georgia Tech.
Valdes also gave the Yellow Jackets exactly what they needed off the bench. He knocked down a pair of three-pointers, stayed efficient, and helped settle the offense when Georgia Tech needed a cleaner stretch. He finished with 17 points on 5-7 shooting, plus three assists and two rebounds.
Georgia Tech’s sloppiness was a problem early. The Yellow Jackets committed nine turnovers in the first half, and those mistakes turned into 12 points for Eastern Kentucky.
Much of that damage came from the guards, with Colby Garland accounting for five turnovers before halftime and sitting at a minus-4. He can score, but the early-season turnover issues are still there.
The good news for Georgia Tech was that the second half was much cleaner, with just one turnover.
Eastern Kentucky got plenty from its bench in the opening half, and that was a big reason the Colonels were able to stay in front. They scored 22 bench points before the break, with Justin McCarter doing most of the damage after checking in at the 15:38 mark.
He was perfect from the field, going 5-for-5 and scoring 14 of those 22 bench points. Eastern Kentucky finished with 35 bench points overall, getting major production from its reserves.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Needs More Than An Upset Against Clemson
Georgia Tech heads into its matchup with Clemson trying to steady itself after four straight losses, and the timing of the coaching staff changes only adds to the sense that this is more than just another ACC game. The Yellow Jackets have spent the week searching for answers in all three phases, with special teams, offense and defense each needing sharper execution if they are going to make the kind of statement that changes the feel around the program.
Clemson brings a defense that can make life difficult for any opponent, which is part of why ESPNs Football Power Index gives Georgia Tech only a 15.7% chance to win. An upset would obviously grab attention, but the larger question is whether the Yellow Jackets can show enough progress to suggest the recent changes are starting to matter, even if the final result still leaves plenty unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Aidan Birr Made A Painful Admission As Georgia Tech Tries To Recover
Georgia Techs recent skid has put plenty of pressure on the whole roster, and Aidan Birr stepped up this week to address not just the teams struggles, but his own role in them. The kicker spoke candidly with the media about the frustration around the season and the responsibility he feels as the Yellow Jackets try to steady themselves down the stretch, stressing that the standard inside the program still matters even when results are not matching it.
Birr also offered a glimpse into how he is trying to reset mentally as the season moves forward. He said he has been working on his focus and execution by reading a book about the unconscious mind, part of an effort to clear out the noise and handle the pressure that comes with kicking in a difficult stretch. For Georgia Tech, the hope is that his next steps on the field can match the accountability he showed off it. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Mbakwes Return Just Changed Georgia Techs Clemson Week Mood
Jaylen Mbakwe was back in front of the media this week, and the Georgia Tech cornerback had plenty to say after working his way back from the serious injury he suffered against Tennessee. The return alone changes the mood around the Yellow Jackets as they turn toward Clemson, with Mbakwe sounding grateful just to be back on the field and ready to talk football again. He also took a clear-eyed look at the Tigers, pointing out key players Georgia Tech will have to account for in a matchup that already carries plenty of weight.
Mbakwe also touched on the recent changes within the coaching staff, offering a glimpse of a program still adjusting even as it prepares for one of its biggest games of the season. On the field, he said his background as a former high school quarterback helps him read offenses from the defensive side, a trait that can matter a lot against a Clemson attack. For Georgia Tech, having a veteran voice like that back in the mix is a useful reminder that the week is about more than just the opponent. [Read more 🡒]