Clemson Overpowered by No. 17 Georgia Tech in Tough Road Loss

Coach Shawn Poppie, coaching from the sideline during Clemson’s game versus Stanford. Photo Credit: Charles Mays - Tiger View Media

The Clemson Tigers faced a tough challenge this evening as they took on the 17th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta. Entering the matchup, the Tigers aimed to snap their three-game conference losing streak but were unable to do so, falling 89-65 in a hard-fought contest. Here’s a closer look at how the game unfolded.

First Half

Georgia Tech won the opening tipoff, and Kara Dunn quickly put the Yellow Jackets on the board. The Yellow Jackets opened the game with an 8-0 scoring run before Loyal McQueen scored Clemson's first points of the contest. Chazadi Wright had an impressive first half for the Tigers, contributing eight points and three assists. Kayla Blackshear also made a significant impact, tallying 14 points while shooting an outstanding 7-for-8 from the field. For Georgia Tech, Kara Dunn showcased her ability as a difference-maker, scoring nine points in the first half. Tonie Morgan contributed across the board, racking up five rebounds and dishing out eight assists, highlighting her versatility and productivity. Despite Clemson’s struggles, Loyal McQueen stepped up as the leader for the Tigers, scoring eight points in the half. Anya Poole added five points, while Mia Moore chipped in as well with six points and three rebounds. Georgia Tech’s offense was firing on all cylinders, ending the half with 46 points on a hot 67% shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Clemson struggled offensively, shooting just 38% and failing to connect on a single three-pointer, which doesn’t usually happen for this team. At halftime, the Tigers trailed the Yellow Jackets 46-26, with Georgia Tech firmly in control.

Second Half

Mia Moore opened the second half for Clemson with a quick basket, while Kara Dunn maintained her consistent performance by scoring first for Georgia Tech. Raven Thompson finally broke Clemson's three-point drought, sinking the team’s first from beyond the arc. Thompson had a solid second half, adding six points to the Tigers’ efforts. Mia Moore came alive for Clemson in the second half, recording nine points, four rebounds, and two assists. Maddi Cluse joined in on the three-point shooting, knocking down a key shot, while Loyal McQueen continued her strong play with 10 points and five assists. Anya Poole also contributed with six points and two rebounds as the Tigers showed fight, going on a 14-2 run over a 3:05 stretch early in the half. However, Georgia Tech kept pace, led by Tonie Morgan, who turned in a near triple-double in the second half alone with eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Kara Dunn remained a force, adding 11 points and five rebounds, while Rusne Augustinaite had a breakout half, scoring seven points. Tianna Thompson also stepped up for the Yellow Jackets, contributing 10 points. Chazadi Wright continued to facilitate for Tech, finishing the second half with four assists. However, fouls became a significant issue for the Tigers, committing 15 in the half and allowing Georgia Tech to reach the bonus in both the third and fourth quarters. Despite Clemson’s improved shooting in the second half with 52% from the field and 44% from three, the Tigers were unable to overcome Georgia Tech’s commanding lead. The Yellow Jackets’ early dominance proved too much, and Clemson dropped another game on their road trip.

Final Results

The Clemson Tigers suffered another tough loss, dropping their fourth straight conference game to Georgia Tech by a score of 89-65. The loss brings Clemson’s record to 10-9 overall and 3-5 in ACC play. Georgia Tech’s depth and balanced scoring proved to be too much for the Tigers, with six Yellow Jackets scoring in double digits. Kara Dunn led the way with 20 points and seven rebounds, showcasing her scoring ability. Kayla Blackshear followed with 19 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-14 from the field. The standout performance of the game came from Tonie Morgan, who posted a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists, an incredible feat that Clemson struggled to match. On the positive side for Clemson, Loyal McQueen delivered another strong performance, finishing with 18 points and six rebounds while shooting 8-for-17. Mia Moore also impressed, contributing 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Anya Poole had an efficient outing, scoring 11 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting and adding four rebounds. While the Tigers have individual players capable of

big performances, they continue to struggle with putting together a complete four quarters of basketball. If they look to turn things around, they must be able to do that. Fortunately, Clemson returns home to Littlejohn Coliseum for their next matchup, offering a chance to reset and regroup. The Tigers will face Miami on Thursday, January 23, at 7:00 PM, with the game available to watch on ACC Network Extra.