Jayden Gardner scored 26 points and Virginia’s defense forced 15 turnovers as the Cavaliers defeated Georgia Tech 63-53 in Charlottesville, Va., for their fourth consecutive win.
The 26 points accounted for Gardner’s highest-scoring output in any Atlantic Coast Conference game this season, and his second-highest point total in any game overall. It helped Virginia (16-9, 10-5 ACC) move into a tie for fifth-place in the league, while Georgia Tech (10-14, 3-10) is still second-to-last in the conference standings.
Three Georgia Tech players scored in double figures as the Yellow Jackets nearly fought all the way back from a 17-point deficit. Michael Devoe scored 17 points and hit three of Georgia Tech’s four made 3-pointers.
Jordan Usher fought through foul trouble to score 11 points, and Rodney Howard also added 10 points.
Kihei Clark was the only other Virginia player to reach double figures in scoring, but he did it in style with three made 3-pointers making up the bulk of his 15 points. Virginia also had the advantage in the rebounding department, both overall with a 32-24 margin in total rebounds and individually with Francisco Caffaro leading all players by grabbing eight boards.
It looked like Virginia was going to win in dominant fashion when it raced out to a 32-15 lead in the first half. Georgia Tech did not make a 3-pointer in the first 12 minutes of play, and the turnovers woes that have plagued the team all season were a recurring issue.
The Yellow Jackets fought back and closed the deficit as low as two points when a Devoe 3-pointer made it 49-47 with 5:44 to go, but Virginia never relinquished its lead. The home team closed the game on a 14-6 run to salt away the win.
Virginia will have a quick turnaround when it takes the court on Monday for a rivalry showdown at Virginia Tech, while Georgia Tech will be back in action on Tuesday at home against North Carolina State.
— Field Level Media
