Georgia Tech falls to Clemson in overtime 69-65

Mar 13, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward

(32) takes a jump shot against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second round of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It was another overtime game for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and–in many ways–a much prettier game than the match up against Boston College on Wednesday. However, against Clemson the Jackets couldn’t do enough to complete an upset that was starting to look like a real possibility.

With a few bad plays (namely a Daniel Miller missed dunk and an offensive foul from Corey Heyward in overtime) offensively, Clemson was able to recover and take down Georgia Tech 69-65.

With this loss, the Jackets end their ACC Tournament run, and their season with a final record of 16-17.

I have to give Georgia Tech credit in this game though. They fought the entire way and actually looked to be in control for much of the game. They took a 29-27 lead into the half and didn’t give it up until the 3:39 mark in the second half.

After a last second shot from Daniel Miller to tie the game up and send the Jackets to overtime, it was anyone’s game. But, the Jackets fell like they have so many other times throughout the season–with poor offensive performances.

With Georgia Tech up 60-58 with just 2:26 left to play, Trae Golden dished the ball to Miller for a wide open dunk… and he missed. Don’t ask me how he did, but he did. With that play it seemed like the Tigers reclaimed all the momentum and went on a 9-5 run to cap the game off. One of the other big plays that helped end Tech’s season was an offensive foul from Corey Heyward with the Jackets down 63-62 and 27 seconds to go.

Our very own Brad Rowland summed up the play nicely:

After that, the Jackets were forced to foul Clemson repeatedly (they made all six of their shots from the line) and the only bucket Georgia Tech would get was a meaningless 3-pointer from Trae Golden with five seconds left. Somehow that seemed to wrap up this season perfectly for the Jackets.

A valiant effort… but in the end, not enough help for Golden, stuck in the middle of a poor offensive team.