Georgia Tech not looking back as it opens NIT vs. Jacksonville State

Field Level Media|published: Mon 17th March, 20:42 2025

NCAA Basketball: ACC Conference Tournament Quarterfinal - Duke vs Georgia Tech

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Duncan Powell (31) reacts with head coach Damon Stoudamire after scoring in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Following a strong finish to the season, Georgia Tech finds itself in the postseason for the first time in four years.

The Yellow Jackets earned a No. 4 seed in the National Invitation Tournament, where they'll begin with a matchup against Jacksonville State on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Georgia Tech (17-16) has won eight of its last 12 games, including quality victories over Louisville and Clemson. Most recently, the Yellow Jackets nipped Virginia in the ACC tournament before falling to Duke in the quarterfinals.

"Over the course of the last two, three months, I think this is more what I'm used to," Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire said. "It won't be any looking back for me."

Against Duke, Duncan Powell paced Georgia Tech with 24 points (including six 3-pointers) -- his fourth 20-point performance over the last six contests. He averages 12.1 points, which ranks fifth on a balanced Georgia Tech offense led by Lance Terry (14.5 points).

Jacksonville State (22-12) tied for second in Conference USA this season and made it to the league's tournament championship game before falling to Liberty, 79-67.

Shooting was the story in that contest, as the Gamecocks shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 6-of-18 from 3-point range. Poor free-throw shooting (13-of-25) didn't help matters either.

"We were a great free-throw shooting team all year," coach Ray Harper said. "We weren't (against Liberty). We go 13-for-25. They go 12-for-20 from the 3. Some of those stats are just hard to overcome."

Jaron Pierre Jr. led the way with 19 points, although he shot just 6-of-17 from the floor. He is the team's leading scorer at 21.5 points and has made 97 3-pointers -- twice as many as anyone else on the squad.

However, Georgia Tech will also want to keep an eye on Marcellus Brigham Jr., who has made five 3-pointers in the last two games after making only three 3-pointers over his previous 13 games.

The winner of this game will face either No. 1 seed UC Irvine or Northern Colorado this weekend.

--Field Level Media