Georgia Tech Secures Crucial ACC Victory Over Boston College

In a thrilling game filled with momentum shifts, Georgia Tech emerged victorious against Boston College, finishing the contest with a 22-7 run to turn a 46-42 deficit into a 65-53 win at McCamish Pavilion. The victory marked a significant moment for the Jackets, who had previously suffered a close loss to Duke in their ACC opener.

Boston College started strong, taking a 10-2 lead in the second half to take a 46-42 advantage. However, Georgia Tech’s defense proved to be the difference as they made several key stops, capitalized on fast breaks, and executed crucial plays down the stretch. A highlight of the game was freshman Cole Kirouac’s emphatic dunk, which energized both the crowd and his teammates. Lamar Washington also played a pivotal role, contributing clutch scoring in the final moments.

Head coach Damon Stoudamire praised his team’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. “That was a really good win… proud of the fellas,” he said. “You know they showed a lot of grit, especially coming down the stretch with about seven minutes to go. We were down by four, we came in the huddle and we finally settled in offensively.”

Washington finished the game with a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, recording a double-double. Kowacie Reeves Jr. added 16 points, while Baye Ndongo contributed 10 points and eight rebounds. Jaeden Mustaf and Akai Fleming each chipped in with nine and eight points, respectively.

Kirouac, who saw extended playing time due to Mouhamed Sylla’s lower leg injury, showcased his potential with two points and six rebounds. His dunk late in the game served as a spark for the team and the home crowd.

“[Cole] did a really good job when we went back small,” said Stoudamire. “He works, and he’s going to be a really good player. That was a heck of a dunk he had. It ignited us.”

The Jackets’ defensive efforts were exceptional, holding Boston College to just 27.3% shooting from the field and 4-of-29 from beyond the arc. Stoudamire emphasized the physicality and collective effort that defined the game.

“Sometimes you can’t tell sitting from the sidelines, but I knew we were playing great D,” he said. “When I looked at the numbers, I was like…a team I’ve coached, I don’t think I’ve ever had a team hold an opponent to 27 (percent) from the field, 13 (percent) from the 3. That was just amazing defense.”

On the other side, Boston College managed only two players reaching double figures, with Donald Hand Jr. and Boden Kapke each scoring 13 points. Kapke also recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds, but Georgia Tech dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Eagles 49-34.

The Jackets also outscored Boston College 34-24 in the paint and 23-0 on fast breaks. Jayden Hastings was the next highest scorer for the Eagles with nine points.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with Georgia Tech taking a 27-17 lead after a 12-2 run. Boston College responded with a 7-0 run to cut the halftime deficit to 27-24. Both teams struggled offensively, with Georgia Tech holding a narrow edge in field goal percentage at 38.5%, while Boston College shot just 26.5%. No player reached six points in the first half.

Georgia Tech will host Syracuse on Tuesday at McCamish Pavilion, marking another ACC matchup. Former Jackets players Nait George and Ibrahim Souare will be part of the Orange’s roster after transferring this past spring. Boston College will face NC State at home later that evening.

Key Players and Performance Highlights

• Lamar Washington: Team-high 17 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists.
• Kowacie Reeves Jr.: 16 points.
• Baye Ndongo: 10 points, 8 rebounds.
• Jaeden Mustaf: 9 points, 5 rebounds.
• Akai Fleming: 8 points, 5 rebounds.
• Cole Kirouac: 2 points, 6 rebounds, including a key dunk.