South Bend, Ind. – Kyle Sturdivant came off the bench to score 18 points, including all seven of Georgia Tech’s points in overtime, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to hold off homestanding Notre Dame and dropped a 73-72 overtime decision to the Fighting Irish Tuesday night at Purcell Pavilion.
Looking to win at Purcell Pavilion for the first time since 1990 and keep Notre Dame (9-8, 1-5 ACC) winless in the ACC, the Yellow Jackets (8-8, 1-5 ACC) led by seven points with 2 :31 to go in regulation and led three times in the extra period, but the Fighting Irish fought back each time.
Sturdivant, who played only the final possession of the first half, came off the bench to score 11 in the second period, including baskets on three straight possessions at one point and then a layup that gave the Jackets a 63-56 lead with 3: 45 to go. Two free throws by Lance Terry made it 65-58 Tech with 2:31 left.
But Notre Dame rallied to tie the game when freshman JJ Starling scored a basket and two free throws, and Trey Wertz hit a corner three with just under a minute to play. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation but were unable to convert, leading the teams tied at 65.
The teams traded the lead six times in the extra frame. Sturdivant scored the first basket of overtime to put Tech ahead 67-65, drained a three-pointer to help the Jackets retake the lead at 70-68, and knocked down a pair of free throws for a 72-71 edge with 39 seconds to go. play.
Each time, Notre Dame answered, and Nate Laszewski’s two free throws with 23 seconds left proved to be the winning points.
Tech had two shots at a winning basket in the final possession, but Sturdivant missed a three-pointer and Ja’von Franklin missed a jumper in the lane in the final five seconds.
Sturdivant’s 18 points were a career high as he hit 7-of-12 shots from the floor and 2-of-3 from three-point range. Devon Smith matched his season high with 16 points, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists. Franklin made his first start since Dec. 10 and posted his third double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, adding three assists and four blocks while playing all but three seconds of the game. Miles Kelly was the Jackets’ fourth player in double figures with 11 points.
Dane Goodwin led the Fighting Irish with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Starling finished with 16 points, Laszewski with 14 and Cormac Ryan with 11.
Tech begins a three-game homestand Saturday at 3 pm when Pittsburgh visits McCamish Pavilion. The game will be televised live on the ACC Network.
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