ATL ReKap: Bulldogs Secure Close Win, Yellow Jackets Triumph in Double Overtime Thriller

Good evening everyone and welcome back to another blog on ATL ReKap. I hope you all are staying warm as the temperature dropped significantly today, bringing us into the tens. Please take care of yourselves and your families, and stay bundled up in warm clothes. Now let’s jump right into tonight’s blog.

Georgia Bulldogs

Tonight, the Georgia Bulldogs basketball team faced the South Carolina Gamecocks, securing a hard-fought victory with a final score of 74-69. Silas Demary Jr. led the Dawgs in scoring with 15 points, displaying his prowess with a 3-5 shooting performance from the field. Demary Jr. made significant contributions across the board with 7 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

A standout moment occurred when Demary Jr. put up the first points on the board for the Dawgs. Driving in from the three-point line to about the free-throw line, he stopped to confuse the defender and then executed a fadeaway jumper, making a mid-range two with the ball bouncing off the rim before smoothly going through the net.

In the second half with 8:54 left, a turnover by Frank Anselem-Be led to a layup opportunity for Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Despite a near-block by the Gamecocks, Abdur-Rahim's smooth pass backward to Demary Jr. resulted in an easy layup.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim followed Demary Jr. with 11 points, going 3-11 from the field and 1-5 from beyond the arch. Abdur-Rahim's three-pointer was a highlight, featuring a seamless exchange of the ball between Demary Jr. and Abdur-Rahim, culminating in a tough three-pointer. Abdur-Rahim also showcased his defensive skills with 8 rebounds and a block.

Justice Hill had an impressive game off the bench, contributing 9 points with a 3-12 shooting performance from the field. Hill's icy jumper right at the shot clock buzzer added crucial points, securing the Dawgs' lead before the game came to an end.

The Georgia Bulldogs are now gearing up to face Antonio Reeves and the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. Despite being the underdogs with a 14% probability, the Bulldogs are prepared to bring their A-game. Stay tuned with me on Saturday night after the game for a detailed recap!

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Shifting gears to the Yellow Jackets, they faced the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling double-overtime matchup, ultimately winning 93-90. Freshman Naithan George led the Jackets in scoring with an impressive 20 points, going 8-13 from the field and 4-7 from beyond the arch. George's excellent shooting performance played a crucial role in the team's success. He also contributed 6 assists, a steal, and a block.

George showcased his composure and skill by tying up the game with just 2 seconds left in regulation, hitting a clutch three-pointer to force the game into overtime after cleverly faking out a defender. In the second overtime with 51 seconds left, George hit another clutch three-pointer, bringing the Jackets up by three (91-88) to secure the lead just before the game concluded. Another highlight play included a spectacular alley-oop connection with Tyzhuan Claude, bringing the crowd to their feet.

Despite being a freshman, George's impressive performance tonight, reminiscent of LaMelo Ball's style, indicated a bright future ahead for the Yellow Jackets.

Kowacie Reeves Jr. followed George in scoring, putting up 15 points, with all of those coming from three-pointers. Reeves went 5-7 from the field and beyond the arch, maintaining a perfect shooting record from beyond the three-point line. His continuous three-pointers injected energy into the Jackets' game plan.

Off the bench, Kyle Sturdivant led the Jackets in scoring with 18 points, going 5-10 from the field and 3-8 from beyond the arch. Sturdivant's stellar performance added depth to the team's offensive efforts.

The 9-8 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are set to face the 11-5 Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. The Cavaliers are favored to win with a 61% probability to 39%, according to ESPN. Stay tuned with me on Saturday night after the game for a comprehensive post-game recap!