Jae’Lyn Withers had a game-high 19 points and 13 rebounds as Louisville ended a 10-game losing streak with a 68-58 victory over visiting Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
Withers, who scored 14 first-half points, finished the game 4 of 8 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, while El Ellis added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Kamari Lands chipped in 11 points and five rebounds, with JJ Traynor finishing with 10 points and four rebounds for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals’ losing streak was their longest since dropping 12 straight from Feb. 23, 1940-Feb. 8, 1941.
The Cardinals (3-19, 1-10 Atlantic Coast Conference) shot 21 of 46 (45.7 percent) from the field, including 7 of 19 (36.8 percent) from 3-point range. Louisville outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 46-32.
Georgia Tech dropped to 8-14 and 1-11 in league play, which is its worst overall record through 22 games since the 2011-2012 season and its poorest conference mark through 12 games since the 2008-09 season.
The Yellow Jackets were led by Kyle Sturdivant’s 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Miles Kelly added 16 points and three rebounds. Ja’von Franklin had eight points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Yellow Jackets shot 18 of 61 (29.5 percent) from the field, including 7 of 27 (25.9 percent) from beyond the arc.
Leading 57-53 with 3:01 to play, the Cardinals secured the victory by holding the Yellow Jackets without a field goal the rest of the way. Mike James’ 3-pointer pushed Louisville’s advantage to 60-53 and sparked an 11-5 run to end the game.
The Cardinals controlled most of the first half, leading by as many as seven before taking a 33-28 halftime edge.
Withers scored 14 points, but no other Cardinal had more than four in the first 20 minutes for Louisville. The Cardinals shot 11 of 24 (45.8 percent) from the field before the break, including 3 of 10 (30 percent) from beyond the arc.
Georgia Tech was led by Kelly’s 10 first-half points, while Sturdivant and Deebo Coleman added six apiece.
The Yellow Jackets shot 9 of 30 (30 percent) from the field prior to halftime, including 7 of 16 (43.8 percent) from distance.
–Field Level Media
