LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Georgia Tech dropped a 91-51 decision at No. 9/8 Louisville Wednesday evening in the KFC Yum! Center. With the loss, Tech falls to 13-5 overall and 2-3 in ACC play.
“I’m very disappointed in our effort,” stated head coach MaChelle Joseph. “I thought that we didn’t play hard, we didn’t play smart and we didn’t play together. I think we’ve got to do a much better job of coming ready to play when we’re playing top-10 teams on the road. We need better leadership from our veterans and our upperclassmen.”
How It Happened
Louisville shot 62.1 percent (18-29) from the field and 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from three-point range in the first half to grab a commanding lead over the Jackets. The Cardinals sank seven triples in the first quarter to lead 27-13 at the first intermission. Five different Jackets scored in the opening frame, but a stifled second quarter in which Tech shot just 6.7 percent (1-15) from the field allowed the Cardinals to grow a comfortable lead and hold a 50-15 halftime advantage. Asia Durr led Louisville in the first half with 17 points.
Louisville continued to pull away in the second half despite Tech holding the Cardinals to their smallest offensive margin of the game, narrowly outscoring Tech 16-15 in the final frame. The Jackets were 7-of-12 from the charity stripe in the fourth frame and finished 14-of-24. Louisville won the rebounding battle 48-30 and was led in scoring by Durr with 20 points.
Tech Tidbits
* Tech’s 15 first half points marked the lowest offensive output in a half since Tech scored 14 points in the first half against No. 8/9 Georgia on Dec. 2, 2012
* Tech was limited to one field goal in the second quarter against Louisville – marking the second time since the quarter system was put in place the Jackets were limited to one field goal in a frame — the first at Duke on Feb. 21, 2016
* Tech’s two points in the second quarter is the smallest output in a quarter
* Tech was held to single digits in scoring for just the second time this season as Kaylan Pugh and Francesca Pan led the team in scoring with nine points each
* After going 7-for-10 from three-point range in the first quarter, the Cardinals were 2-of-6 the remainder of the game
* Louisville outscored Tech in the paint 40-18
Next Up
Georgia Tech closes out this two-game stretch with a visit to Wake Forest on Sunday, Jan. 22. Tip is slated for 2 p.m.
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