- Duncan Powell dominates with 21 points (15 after halftime)
- Baye Ndongo and Naithan George combine for 29 points and 20 rebounds
- Georgia Tech snaps 13-game losing streak against Virginia
- Isaac McKneely’s 27-point effort falls short for Cavaliers
- Yellow Jackets advance to face No. 5 Duke in quarterfinals
In a dramatic ACC Tournament showdown, Georgia Tech secured its first victory against Virginia in eight years through a masterclass in second-half execution. Sophomore forward Duncan Powell emerged as the catalyst, scoring nine consecutive points during a critical stretch that gave the Yellow Jackets a 10-point advantage with under eight minutes remaining. The win marks a significant turnaround for a program that hadn’t defeated Virginia since Barack Obama’s final year in office.
Virginia guard Isaac McKneely nearly engineered a miraculous comeback, sinking two deep three-pointers in the final minute to cut the deficit to 62-60. However, Georgia Tech’s composure at the free-throw line sealed the victory, with freshman point guard Naithan George converting four clutch attempts in the closing seconds. The loss extends Virginia’s concerning late-season trend, having now dropped seven of its last 10 games.
Regional Impact: Charlotte’s Spectrum Center proved pivotal as a neutral-site battleground. The North Carolina venue saw Georgia Tech leverage its proximity to Atlanta effectively, with 35% of attendees sporting Yellow Jackets colors – a notable increase from previous tournaments. This geographic advantage could play a role in Thursday’s quarterfinal against Duke, whose Durham campus lies just 140 miles northeast.
Strategic Insight: Coach Damon Stoudamire’s decision to deploy a small-ball lineup for 22 minutes created mismatches that Virginia never solved. This tactical shift resulted in a +14 rebounding margin during those stretches, directly contradicting preseason concerns about Georgia Tech’s frontcourt depth.
Historical Context: The victory represents Georgia Tech’s first ACC Tournament win since 2021 and only its third since 2010. With NCAA Tournament hopes still alive, analysts suggest the Yellow Jackets need two more wins to enter bubble consideration – a scenario that seemed improbable three weeks ago.
Looking Ahead: Thursday’s quarterfinal against Duke presents both opportunity and challenge. While Georgia Tech suffered a 26-point loss to the Blue Devils in December, their improved ball movement (18 assists vs. Virginia) and defensive intensity (7 blocks) suggest a more competitive rematch. The game could hinge on containing Duke’s perimeter shooting, which torched the Jackets for 13 three-pointers in their previous meeting.