In a thrilling upset, Georgia Tech pulled off a stunning victory over the third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, bringing an end to their impressive 10-game winning streak. The game, held at Georgia Tech's home court, proved to be a nail-biter until the very end, as Naithan George's go-ahead layup with 7.7 seconds left secured a 74-73 win for the Yellow Jackets.
RJ Davis of North Carolina had an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 28 points. He gave his team the lead with just 34 seconds remaining after grabbing a loose ball following a missed jumper by George. However, the Yellow Jackets didn't give up. With the clock winding down, George made a crucial drive to the basket, sinking the go-ahead layup that ultimately sealed the victory for Georgia Tech.
The game was not without controversy, as there was contact from Georgia Tech's Ebenezer Dowuona on Davis' last shot attempt. Davis, hoping for a foul call, pleaded to the officials to no avail. Nonetheless, this did not diminish the jubilation for Georgia Tech and its fans, who stormed the court to celebrate the momentous win.
For North Carolina, this loss marked their first conference defeat after an impressive start in the ACC. The Tar Heels' record now stands at 17-4 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
On the other hand, Georgia Tech, who had been on a three-game losing streak, found redemption with this victory. The Yellow Jackets improved their record to 10-11 overall and 3-7 in the ACC, proving their ability to compete against top-ranked opponents. This win added to their collection of victories over ranked teams this season, following previous wins against No. 21 Mississippi State and No. 7 Duke.
Leading the way for Georgia Tech was Kyle Sturdivant, who contributed 18 points to the team's triumph. George also had a strong showing with 16 points, while Miles Kelly added 15 points to the final tally.
The game started with North Carolina flexing its muscles, going on a 12-0 run to establish an early lead. However, Georgia Tech fought back, closing the first half with a 12-1 run of their own. This run allowed the Yellow Jackets to level the score at 37 going into halftime.
Both teams showcased their resilience throughout the game, with momentum swinging back and forth. North Carolina seemed to have the upper hand with their dominance on the glass, leading the ACC in rebounds with an average of 41.25 per game. They capitalized on their second-chance points, outscoring Georgia Tech 23-8 in that category.
Despite the tough loss for North Carolina, their fans made a strong presence in the sellout crowd. Despite Georgia Tech's call for a 'white-out,' the sea of Carolina blue jerseys dominated roughly half of the arena.
This game concluded North Carolina's road trip, which consisted of six ACC away games in the month of January. This is the highest number of conference road games the Tar Heels have played since their days in the Southern Conference in 1952.
Looking ahead, North Carolina will now turn their attention to a highly anticipated matchup against their archrivals, No. 7 Duke on Saturday. This clash between two college basketball powerhouses is sure to draw significant attention from fans and pundits alike.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech will hit the road to face North Carolina State on Saturday, hoping to build on the momentum gained from their victory over the Tar Heels.
Overall, Georgia Tech's upset win over North Carolina will surely turn heads in the college basketball world. It serves as a reminder that in the unpredictable realm of sports, any team is capable of pulling off an upset on any given day.
