:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63165795/usa_today_12278757.0.jpg)
It has just been that kind of season for BC. After an encouraging win over Louisville on Wednesday night, they could not find a way to win on the road against a Georgia tech team that has lost nine of its last ten. The Eagles have struggled in both road and overtime games all season, and this one was no exception.
The Eagles were able to break down the Georgia Tech zone early on and pull out to an early first half lead, riding strong shooting from Jordan Chatman and good inside play from Nik Popovic. After jumping out to an 8-point lead midway through the first, the Yellow Jacket defense clamped down and forced the Eagles to take mostly contested shots. After an early Chatman three, the Eagles missed their next six. Meanwhile, the defensive failure to close out on threes resurfaced for the Eagles. The Eagles gave up 15 second chance points in the half as the Yellow Jackets pulled all the way back. Jose Alvarado had 15 points in the final ten minutes of the period to fuel a 40-33 Georgia Tech halftime lead.
The Yellow Jackets held onto their 7-point lead with effective scoring in the paint despite a few turnovers attempting to feed it inside. The Eagles found their offense during a 9-3 run but were unable to turn the corner. Each time the Eagles pulled within striking distance, the Yellow Jackets were able to answer. The Eagles had 9 points off 9 offensive rebounds in the second half. Finally, with 6 minutes to go, they pulled all the way back to tie.
It would be a back and forth affair for the rest of the half. Georgia Tech had the ball and 3-point lead with 1:30 in the game when Jared Hamilton made a diving steal and hit one of two foul shots on the other end. Steffon Mitchell came up with a big jump ball on the second foul shot but Georgia Tech came up with a steal. Jared Hamilton blocked Alvarado’s shot on the next possession and Ky Bowman hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 70. Georgia Tech would miss a final three-point attempt with the clock expiring to send the game to overtime.
This would not be the game to break the Eagles’ overtime woes. They scraped together some scoring off gritty Steffon Mitvhell play but Chatman and Bowman were both held scoreless in the period. The Yellow Jackets did just enough to hold the Eagles off, benefiting from a questionable goaltending call on Bowman and a killer three from Michael Devoe. The Eagles had a chance in the last ten seconds and got the Ky Bowman three that they wanted, but it bounced off the back iron as the clock expired.
The 81- 78 loss was especially disappointing on the heels of a top-25 upset earlier this week. For those fantasizing about a strong finish and ACC tournament run putting BC back into bubble talk, this loss all but ends that discussion. The Eagles fall to 14-14 (and 0-4 in overtime games) with #5 UNC coming to Conte Forum on Tuesday night.