ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive intensity and offensive inefficiency, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Boston College Eagles for a 65-53 victory in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball on Saturday afternoon at Hank McCamish Pavilion.

A crowd of 5,978 watched as Georgia Tech improved to 10-5 overall and evened its early conference record, while Boston College fell to 7-7.

The most important part of the game was Georgia Tech’s decisive 23-0 advantage in fastbreak points, a statistic that underscored the Yellow Jackets’ superior transition defense and ability to capitalize on Boston College’s frigid shooting. The Eagles, who shot a dismal 27.3% from the field and 13.8% from three-point range, provided ample opportunities for Georgia Tech to run. The Yellow Jackets turned 13 Boston College turnovers into 11 points and consistently turned defensive stops into easy baskets at the other end, a gap the Eagles’ plodding offense could never overcome.

The game was a grind from the outset, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. Boston College led briefly at 2-0 after the opening tip, but Georgia Tech quickly asserted control. The first half was a low-scoring affair, with the Yellow Jackets taking a narrow 27-24 lead into the break.

The contest remained tight for the first several minutes of the second half, with Georgia Tech holding a 32-31 edge with 16:06 remaining. From there, the Yellow Jackets began to create separation. A key sequence saw Lamar Washington connect on a three-pointer, followed by a Boden Kapke tip-in for Boston College. Georgia Tech then embarked on a 12-4 run over the next five minutes, fueled by its transition game and interior scoring, to push the lead to 44-36. Boston College never got the deficit back within a single possession again, as its shooting woes persisted and Georgia Tech continued to convert in the open floor.

Georgia Tech was led by a stellar all-around performance from Lamar Washington. The 6-foot-4 guard from Portland, Oregon, played 36 minutes and filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. His defensive presence was pivotal, contributing to multiple Boston College misses in the paint. Kowacie Reeves added 16 points, while Baye Ndongo chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds.

Boston College’s effort was anchored by Boden Kapke. The 6-foot-11 center from Victoria, Minnesota, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. Donald Hand added 13 points, but it came on inefficient shooting, emblematic of the Eagles’ night. The team managed only five assists against nine turnovers, highlighting its stagnant half-court offense.

Both teams finished with 72 possessions, but the efficiency gap was stark. Georgia Tech posted an offensive rating of 90.6 points per 100 possessions, while Boston College managed only 73.1. The Yellow Jackets also won the battle in the paint, 34-24, and were more effective at the free-throw line, making 20 of 29 attempts compared to Boston College’s 13 of 20.

Georgia Tech entered the game as a 6-point favorite according to sportsbooks, and the result easily covered that spread. The total points of 118 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 143, a direct result of the defensive struggle and poor shooting.

The win gives Georgia Tech momentum heading into a Tuesday afternoon home contest against Syracuse. Boston College, meanwhile, must regroup quickly before hosting North Carolina State, also on Tuesday.