clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2014 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament: Georgia Tech holds off Virginia, 77-76

Kaela Davis and Tyaunna Marhsall combine for 54 points in the Yellow Jackets' win over pesky Virginia.

Georgia Tech's Tyaunna Marshall
Georgia Tech's Tyaunna Marshall
Dana Warren

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Kaela Davis scored 28 points and Tyaunna Marshall added a double-double to help Georgia Tech beat Virginia 77-76 in the second round of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament.

Georgia Tech built a 14-point lead midway through the second half on the strength of their aggressive guard play and lights-out offense. However, Virginia stepped up their intensity late in the game, trimming the lead to one before Marshall missed a last-gasp shot at the buzzer.

Virginia was led by forward Sarah Imovbioh (27 points, 10 rebounds), who had a double-double of her own in the loss. Kelsey Wolfe added 16 for the Cavaliers, followed by 15 from Ataira Franklin. The Jackets bested the Wahoos on the glass, 39-32 and held the Cavaliers to to just 2-17 from three-point range. Georgia Tech now advances to play Duke in Friday's quarterfinal round.

"I thought today we were in for a battle," Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph said. "I got exactly what I expected. It's tournament and anything can happen. When you get a team full of seniors and upperclassmen like Virginia does, you have the ability to make plays and win games."

The game almost ended in disaster for Tech, who held a three point lead with four seconds remaining when Nariah Taylor blocked a three-point attempt from Virginia's Lexie Gerson out of bounds. Taylor showed a lot of emotion following the play, which the officials deemed to be taunting. Taylor was assessed a technical foul, giving Virginia two free throws and the ball. Franklin drained both free throws, but their last possession failed to get Franklin the look that the Wahoos wanted.