ATLANTA (AP) — Jordan Usher scored 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting and Georgia Tech defeated Boston College 82-78 in overtime on Saturday after losing a 15-point second-half lead.
The Yellow Jackets didn’t make it easy on themselves, making just 4 of 8 free throws in overtime, but Michael Devoe finally clinched it by sinking the second of two attempts after his rebound on BC’s potential game-tying 3-pointer with two seconds left.
Devoe had 18 points and eight rebounds for Georgia Tech (12-19, 5-15 Atlantic Coast Conference), which ended a four-game losing streak, in which three games were decided by four points or less. Miles Kelly added 16 points.
Usher, who had six points in overtime, had eight rebounds, five assists and a steal with one second to go in regulation as the Eagles drove for a winning layup. He also blocked a shot with 1:48 to go and the game tied at 68.
Jaeden Zackery scored 19 points to lead Boston College (11-19, 6-14), which will take a three-game losing streak into the ACC tournament that begins Tuesday in New York. DeMarr Langford added 17 points and eight rebounds, James Karnik had 16 points and Makai Ashton-Langford 11 points.
Devoe opened the second half with a 3-pointer and Usher had a dunk, layup and 3-pointer in the 10-5 burst for a 51-36 lead with 16:42 to play. The Eagles came right back with 12 points, capped by Ashton-Langford’s 3 at the 11:12 mark.
Zachery’s steal and layup finally tied the game with 2:27 remaining and Karnik’s free throws tied it at 70 at 1:17.
Georgia Tech made nine 3-pointers and shot 57% but was only 13 of 22 from the foul line. BC shot 44% with six 3s but was 20 of 27 from the line.
Usher had 11 points and the Yellow Jackets shot 57% to take a 41-31 lead at the half. Tech put together a 21-6 run in the middle of the half to lead 31-20. Usher had seven points, including a dunk to start it and a 3-pointer.
Both teams are locked into playing on the first day when the ACC tourney opens at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
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