College Hoops
“Lady Dawgs” avoid getting stung
Georgia Tech closing the talent gap, fast!
Stegeman Coliseum - Athens, GA
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| GA Tech freshmen Alex Montgomery (22) and Iasia Hemingway (34) block out UGA's Tashia Humphrey |
Athens, GA - It took all the experience and composure the more seasoned “Lady Bulldogs” from Georgia had to overcome an 8 point halftime deficit handed to them by a Georgia Tech team that started two future All-ACC performers (write it down) in freshman Alex Montgomery and Iasia Hemingway.
Both teams entered the game undefeated and so there was added anticipation in the air besides the teams rivalry distain for one another. Georgia as excepted playing in front of the home fans jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead thanks in part to All-SEC performer Sr.-Tashia Humphrey, who scored 7 of those points.
Having covered this match-up the last few years I’ve always got the sense that the “Lady Yellow Jackets” from Georgia Tech were lagging behind their counterparts from UGA on the overall talent level of their players. Well it was evident early on that this is defiantly not the case this year, especially with the addition of Montgomery (Tacoma, WA) and Hemingway (Newark, N.J.)
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| UGA's Ashley Houts is fouled by Alex Montgomery |
Behind their freshman enthusiasm and the play of “All-ACC performer Sr.-Chioma Nnamaka the “Lady Yellow Jackets” stepped up their play on both ends of the floor to get back in the game.
With 3:21 remaining in the first half Montgomery scored on a lay-up and then stole the ball to score again giving Georgia Tech their first lead of the game 22-20. Then it was Hemingway’s turn to show way the talent gap between the two teams is disappearing. The former Malcolm X Shabazz High School star went off scoring 7 straight points as the “Lady Yellow Jackets” opened up their largest lead of the game 31-22.
A big three point play by Georgia Sr.-Rebecca Rowsey briefly repelled the stinging “Lady Yellow Jackets”. Hemingway finished off a big half knocking down a pair of free-throws giving Georgia Tech a 33-25 halftime lead.
Georgia came out in the second half and got two quick three-pointers from their good looking freshman Angela Puleo and So.-Ashley Houts to tie the game at 35-35.
Three’s continued to rain down in Stegeman Coliseum as Nnamaka drained one for the “Lady Yellow Jackets” and Humphrey did the same for Georgia.
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| Former 4SHOT Hoops All-Stars Nicole Stroud (Avondale) and LSU tranfer Prosha Phillips (Redan) enjoy a moment before the game |
Georgia Tech went on a mini spurt getting baskets from Montgomery, Hemingway and Nnamaka to open up a 49-42 lead with 10:07 left in the game. However over the next few minutes they went cold and started picking up costly fouls.
With the “Lady Yellow Jackets” now starting to loose some of their sting Georgia went to work. Houts and Sr.-Megan Darrah scored to tie the game at 51-51 and then Humphrey scored off of a nice feed from So.-Angel Robinson to put the “Lady Bulldogs” ahead 53-51.
The teams took turns trading baskets and the lead as time started to become factor. Down the stretch Houts would hit 8 of 8 free-throws as Georgia went on to a hard fought 71-64 victory.
Scoring Recap
Georgia: Tasha Humphrey once again paced the “Lady Bulldogs” as she completed a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ashley Houts added 16 (11-12 from the line). Angel Robinson scored 13 and hauled down 8 boards and Angela Puleo chipped in with 9.
Georgia Tech: Iasia Hemingway finished with a game high 22 points, Chioma Nnamaka added 18 and 7 rebounds, Alex Montgomery had 13 and 7 rebounds.
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