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Georgia Tech Edges UNC Asheville 75-74 on Valdes Free Throw
By Piper Rampage
ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Tech rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit and defeated UNC Asheville 75-74 on Saturday at Hank McCamish Pavilion, winning on a free throw by Victor Valdes with about one second remaining.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 4-0, while UNC Asheville fell to 2-3. The game marked the schools’ first meeting in 21 years.
UNC Asheville led 32-25 at halftime and maintained the advantage through much of the second half. The Bulldogs led for 31 minutes, 5 seconds and built their largest lead at 56-42 with 10 minutes remaining.
Georgia Tech began closing the gap and eventually took its first lead since the early stages of the game at 65-63 with 3:14 left. The teams traded points down the stretch, setting up a dramatic final sequence.
UNC Asheville’s Connor Dubsky hit a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining to tie the game at 74-74. With about one second left, Myles Mayfield fouled Valdes in the backcourt, believing the Bulldogs still trailed. Valdes made the first of two free throws to put Georgia Tech ahead 75-74, then missed the second. The Yellow Jackets held on for the one-point victory.
Tylis Jordan led Georgia Tech with 17 points and seven rebounds. Jackson Fields added 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Kam Craft scored 13 points with four 3-pointers. Kaiden Bailey contributed 11 points, and Courtland Muldrew finished with 10. Valdes recorded seven points, five rebounds and five assists, including the game-winning free throw.
Mayfield led UNC Asheville with a career-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, and added four rebounds. Khayri Dunn and Dubsky each scored 11 points. Dubsky’s total included two 3-pointers in the final 18 seconds. Ja’Corey Lipkins added 10 points, Daniel Thomas collected eight rebounds and Jermaurhiyun Anderson recorded five assists.
Georgia Tech shot 37.3% from the field and went 16-of-31 at the free-throw line while grabbing 45 rebounds. UNC Asheville shot 46.0%, made 12-of-29 3-pointers and recorded 20 assists.
The comeback completed Georgia Tech’s move from a 14-point deficit to a one-point win, keeping the Yellow Jackets unbeaten at 4-0.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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