GCAA Quarterfinal Preview: Jets Host Titans in Win-or-Go-Home Matchup

AMERICUS, Ga. (Interstat) — The South Georgia Tech Jets and Albany Tech Titans will meet for the third time this season with their campaigns on the line in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association men’s junior college basketball tournament quarterfinals Tuesday.

The No. 4-seeded Jets (15-15) host the No. 5-seeded Titans (8-15) at Hangar Arena. The teams split their regular-season series, each winning on their home floor. Albany Tech took the first meeting 68-63 on Feb. 9, but South Georgia Tech responded with a decisive 89-57 victory on Feb. 28.

South Georgia Tech enters with momentum from a 92-66 road rout of Gordon State on Saturday. Guard Jalexs Ewing led the way with 24 points, five rebounds and four assists in just one minute of play, showcasing the explosive scoring ability that makes him a focal point for the Jets. Forward Matt Mbole added a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

Albany Tech looks to rebound from a 88-66 loss to Central Georgia on March 4, which capped a challenging stretch. The Titans have dropped five of their last six games. Their success hinges heavily on guard Tyler Husband, who is coming off an 18-point, five-rebound, six-assist performance in that defeat. Over his last six full outings, Husband has averaged 15.3 points and 4.8 assists.

The Jets’ dominant performance in the most recent head-to-head clash, where they won by 32 points, will be in the forefront of both teams’ minds. South Georgia Tech’s balanced attack, featuring Ewing, Mbole and Jarius Davis (16 points, eight rebounds vs. Gordon State), presents a significant challenge for the Titans.

For Albany Tech, containing Ewing and improving its defensive consistency will be paramount. Support for Husband will need to come from players like Londarius King, who posted 10 points and seven rebounds last week.

The winner advances to the GCAA tournament semifinals on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.