Field Level Media
Feb 7, 2021
Michael Devoe scored the go-ahead and insurance baskets Saturday night, capping Georgia Tech's comeback from a 15-point halftime deficit as it knocked off Notre Dame 82-80 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Atlanta.
Devoe's short jumper in the paint made it 80-79 with 2:06 left, and he followed with a fadeaway jumper for an 82-79 edge at the 1:25 mark. The Yellow Jackets' defense then sealed the win.
Notre Dame (7-10, 4-7 ACC) got the last possession after Nate Laszewski blocked Jose Alvarado's shot with 7.2 seconds left. But the Fighting Irish never even got off a shot as Georgia Tech (9-6, 5-4) tightly guarded the perimeter. Prentiss Hubb's attempt came after the buzzer and missed anyway.
Alvarado and Devoe each scored 19 points for the Yellow Jackets, while Jordan Usher contributed 16 and Moses Wright added 12 points. Georgia Tech canned 58.3 percent from the field and earned a 22-10 advantage in fast-break points.
Laszewski poured in a game-high 27 points for the Irish, which lost despite connecting on 59.3 percent from the field. Juwan Durham scored 18, Hubb 15 and Dane Goodwin 13.
Notre Dame's offensive efficiency and domination of the lane was the story of the first half. The Fighting Irish established their post presence in a game-opening 14-2 run and kept Georgia Tech on its heels throughout the half.
Even when the Yellow Jackets found traction offensively, they couldn't make serious inroads into Notre Dame's advantage. Georgia Tech scored on 10 consecutive possessions over a 5 1/2-minute stretch late in the half, but managed to cut just three points off its deficit.
Laszewski ended the half in fitting style for the Irish by teaming with Goodwin to splash consecutive 3-pointers, sending them to the locker room with a 50-35 lead. Notre Dame finished the half shooting 19 of 29 from the field with a dozen assists and only two turnovers.
--Field Level Media