WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Georgia Tech’s offense went ice cold on Saturday, and Wake Forest made them pay for it. The Yellow Jackets shot a season-low 29.6% from the field and managed just 43 points, their lowest scoring output of the season, in a 69-43 loss to the Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
A Tough Night for the Yellow Jackets
Baye Ndongo was one of the few bright spots for Georgia Tech, notching his 12th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. But beyond that, it was a night to forget for the Yellow Jackets. The team struggled mightily in the first half, hitting just five field goals on 27 attempts and going 2-for-17 from beyond the arc.
At one point, Tech suffered two separate scoring droughts of over four minutes each. Meanwhile, Wake Forest ended the half on a dominant 12-0 run, entering the break with a commanding 34-15 lead. While Tech showed slight improvement after halftime, it wasn’t nearly enough to make a real dent in the deficit.
Wake Forest Capitalizes on Tech’s Struggles
The Demon Deacons weren’t exactly efficient, shooting 38.1% overall. But they were lethal from beyond the arc, sinking 11 three-pointers. Wake Forest also took full advantage of Georgia Tech’s mistakes, turning 16 Yellow Jacket turnovers into 23 points.
- Andrew Carr and Hunter Sallis led the way for Wake Forest, combining for 31 points.
- Wake Forest’s defense held Georgia Tech to its worst offensive showing of the year.
- The Demon Deacons improved to 21-10 overall and 13-7 in ACC play.
Jaeden Mustaf was the only other Georgia Tech player to reach double figures, scoring 12 points. Ibrahim Souare pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds, marking his second game this season with double-digit boards.
Tech Locks Up No. 8 Seed for ACC Tournament
Despite the blowout loss, Georgia Tech secured the No. 8 seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament. They will face the No. 9 seed—yet to be determined—on Wednesday, March 12, at noon in Charlotte, N.C.
The Yellow Jackets have exceeded expectations this season. Projected to finish 12th in the ACC during preseason polls, they wrapped up the regular season in eighth place. This marks the eighth time in the last nine years that Tech has outperformed its preseason ranking.
Season Recap: Ups and Downs
Georgia Tech’s season has been a rollercoaster. At one point, they were just 2-6 in ACC play, but they closed strong, winning seven of their final 10 conference games before the Wake Forest loss. Some key moments from the season:
- Big Wins: The Yellow Jackets secured victories over ranked teams, including Clemson and Pittsburgh.
- Quad 1 Games: Tech finished 3-6 in Quad 1 matchups this season.
- Turnaround: After a slow start, the team surged late to earn a bye in the first round of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Ndongo’s 12 double-doubles this season put him among the ACC’s best. Only Stanford’s Maxime Reynaud has more against ACC competition this year, and Syracuse’s Eddie Lampkin has as many.
What’s Next?
Georgia Tech must put this loss behind them quickly as they prepare for the ACC Tournament. The Yellow Jackets have shown they can compete with top teams, but they’ll need a far better offensive performance if they hope to make a deep run in Charlotte.
