THE FLATS – Georgia Tech men’s basketball jumped out front early and never looked back, routing Northern Illinois 68-50 in an end-to-end victory on Thursday night at McCamish Pavilion.
The Yellow Jackets (3-0) used a 17-1 run over a four-and-a-half minute stretch in the first half to build out its lead to 26, all while holding the Huskies (1-3) to a paltry 20 percent field goal percentage, including an icy 2-for-13 from downtown.
Thanks to a 17-1 run to start the second half, NIU would climb back to within seven points before Tech regained control and finished out the game on top, holding the Huskies to miss their next 13 shots.
The Jackets were led by four double-digit scorers on the night. Ja’von Franklin led the way with a double-double totaling 14 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Deivon Smith also impressed with a stat line that featured 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Miles Kelly led all scorers with 13 points on the night, while Dallan Coleman poured in 12 points to go along with six rebounds.
Key advantages for Tech came in points in the paint (42-24) and bench points (35-8).
Northern Illinois featured two double-digit scorers, led by Zarique Nutter, who finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds overall.
Georgia Tech will head to the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off where it will take on Utah (Nov. 21) and Marquette/Mississippi State (Nov. 23).
PHOTOS: Georgia Tech vs. Northern Illinois (photos by Danny Karnik)
Head coach Josh Pastner, center Rodney Howard and forward Jalon Moore
Tech and Huskies tip off at 8 p.m. Thursday at McCamish Pavilion
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