Jacksonville at Georgia Tech
ATLANTA (Interstat) — Priscilla Williams scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Jacksonville Dolphins to a 69-64 upset victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Sunday at Hank McCamish Pavilion.
The Dolphins, who improved to 2-1, overcame a sluggish start and a significant rebounding disadvantage by forcing 22 turnovers and capitalizing on a decisive advantage from beyond the arc. Jacksonville connected on six three-pointers while Georgia Tech managed just two.
Georgia Tech, which fell to 2-2, controlled the paint, outscoring Jacksonville 42-26, and dominated the offensive glass with 17 rebounds, but could not overcome its shooting struggles from deep and the free-throw line, where it shot 12 for 24.
The Yellow Jackets led for much of the first half, taking a 34-26 lead into the locker room after closing the second quarter on an 8-2 run. The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as the Dolphins exploded for 25 points. Williams was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 11 points in the period as Jacksonville outscored Georgia Tech by 10 to take a 51-49 lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Jacksonville built a small lead and then sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute. After a Talayah Walker layup brought Georgia Tech to within 67-64 with under a minute to play, Williams hit two crucial free throws with 20 seconds remaining to extend the lead back to five and effectively put the game out of reach.
Williams, a 6-foot-2 guard from Houston, Texas, filled the stat sheet, adding four assists and two steals to her double-double in 34 minutes of action. Carmaya Bowman provided a strong interior presence for the Dolphins with eight points and eight rebounds.
Georgia Tech was led by Talayah Walker, who scored 15 points. Brianna Turnage just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Ines Noguero of Gijon, Spain, pulled down 10 rebounds to go with six points.
Jacksonville’s defense was a key factor, recording 15 steals and converting 20 points off Georgia Tech’s turnovers. The Yellow Jackets, despite having seven more field goal attempts than the Dolphins, were hampered by their 15.4 percent shooting from three-point range.
The announced attendance was 1,577. The result was considered an upset, as statistical models heavily favored Georgia Tech to win.
Jacksonville next hosts Florida International on Saturday. Georgia Tech returns to action Wednesday at home against West Georgia.