Yellow Jackets contain Nwora, shock fifth-ranked Cardinals
Jordan Usher celebrates with fans following Georgia Tech’s upset of No. 5 Louisville on Thursday.
With the outcome still in doubt, it was Moses Wright who came through at both ends of the court.
Trailing 53-51 with under 2 minutes to go, the Cardinals took off on a two-on-one fast break that seemed certain to produce the tying basket. David Johnson went up for the apparent lay-in, but Wright came out of nowhere to block the shot.
The officials did a lengthy video review to make sure it wasn’t goaltending, finally awarding the ball to the Yellow Jackets.
At the offensive end, Wright got the ball near the foul line, drove for the hoop and dropped one in to extend Georgia Tech’s lead with 55-51 with just over a minute left. He finished with 12 points.
“To make those two plays in that sequence, that was the game,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said.
Louisville had one more chance to force overtime, but Lamarr Kimble stumbled driving into the lane, losing the ball for the last of the Cardinals’ 16 turnovers.
Georgia Tech jumped all over the Cardinals right from the opening tip, racing to a 12-2 lead that prompted Mack to call a timeout just 3½ minutes into the game.
Working the ball crisply inside and out, the Yellow Jackets made five of their first seven shots, including a couple of 3-pointers by Alvarado.
Louisville endured a scoreless drought of 4:23 before finally knocking down a free throw to halt Georgia Tech’s run.
Mack showed his disgust by yanking Nwora out of the game before the first timeout.
The five Louisville starters totaled just 18 points. The reserves, led by Johnson and Malik Williams with 16 points apiece, combined for 40 points.
“The starters really weren’t ready to play,” Mack said. “I probably should have played the reserves more.”
Georgia Tech lost the first meeting between the teams on Jan. 22, squandering an 11-point lead early in the second half to lose 68-64.
This time, the Yellow Jackets made it stand up.
PASTNER’S PREMONITION
Wright missed most of practice the previous day to take care of a classroom project.
When he finally arrived at the gym, Pastner put him through a grueling individual workout.
“I told him, ‘Hey, this is what you need. There’s going to be a possession tomorrow that determines us winning and losing,’” Pastner said.
He was right.
Louisville: Louisville: BIG PICTURE
The Cardinals hardly looked like the No. 5 team in the country, taking their first loss since a 78-65 setback to Florida State on Jan. 4. While Mack conceded that he’s looking for improvement at the defensive end and fewer turnovers, he hardly think thinks one loss overshadows all the good things his team has done this season.
“To sit up here after 21 wins and say this is a huge issue, I’d be lying,” the coach said. “The guys have for the most part, while not perfect, answered the bell and answered the challenge.”
The Yellow Jackets finally won a close game. Six of their eight ACC losses had been by less than 10 points.
“We’re right at that doorstep,” Pastner said. “The next phase to move the needle in the program is to get through that door. That’s the hardest part. To get through the door, you’ve got to win these type of games.”
Georgia Tech: UP NEXT
Travel to Clemson for a rematch against the Tigers on Saturday. The Cardinals won the first meeting 80-62 on Jan. 25.
Have a week off before heading to Wake Forest next Wednesday.
Georgia Tech: