Jarrod West scored 20 points with two clutch 3-pointers and added four steals late to help Louisville defeat a furious Georgia Tech rally in an 84-74 win in the first round.
Kyle Sturdivant tied the score at 11 with an assist before Georgia Tech won the game. Sydney Curry made the second foul shot to give the Cardinals the lead. El Ellis made four consecutive free throws to extend the lead to 25-15. Noah Locke made a jumper as well as a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 15-15 with 8 minutes remaining. At intermission, the lead was 45-28.
Ellis made a 3-pointer to increase Louisville’s lead to 67-40 at 12:07. Michael Devoe scored eight consecutive points in a 190 run to bring the Yellow Jackets to within 67-59 at 6:47. Malik Williams’ layup ended Louisville’s 5/47 scoring drought, bringing it back to 10.
Miles Kelly scored six points in succession for the Yellow Jackets. His dunk and Dallan Coleman’s free throw cut the gap to 73-68 with just 2:57 remaining. However, West made back-to-back 3s for Georgia Tech and the Cardinals.
Locke was able to finish with 16 points and seven boards for Louisville. Williams had 14 points and 10 boards. Curry contributed 12 points and six boards, while Ellis scored 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds from the bench.
Georgia Tech (12-20) was led by Jordan Usher and Kelly, who each scored 19. Usher had nine assists and six rebounds. Devoe was credited with 15.
Louisville (13-18), advances to play Virginia in Wednesday’s nightcap of round 2.
