ATLANTA – In a disappointing end to a tumultuous season, Georgia Tech fell 81-64 to Jacksonville State in the opening round of the NIT on March 18, 2025. The loss concluded the Yellow Jackets’ season with a record of 17-17, overshadowing any preceding successes. Coach Damon Stoudamire characterized the outcome as a moment that could galvanize the program's future.
"Disappointed, I just felt like for the most part, we were in quicksand the whole night," Stoudamire remarked. "Jacksonville played really well and the Pierre kid is pretty good... I was very impressed by that." His comments reflected both frustration and a resolve to build on the lessons from this setback.
The Gamecocks’ Jaron Pierre Jr. was the standout of the game, exploding for 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting along with five rebounds and seven assists. Jacksonville State executed a well-rounded team performance, attributed to their effective shooting and teamwork; they shot 15-of-30 from three and recorded 20 assists. Coach Ray Harper, celebrating his 600th career win, praised his players: "It means I was surrounded by some great coaches and players... it will look better with 600 Georgia Tech than with a non-division one team that we open up with." This win was especially significant for Harper, showcasing resilience after their recent loss in the Conference USA tournament final.
In contrast, Georgia Tech struggled to find offensive rhythm, finishing the game with a poor shooting percentage of 35.5%, including just 37.1% from beyond the arc. As the Jackets fell behind early, they found themselves down 12 points at halftime (45-33). Senior guard Lance Terry, who played his final collegiate game, led the Jackets with 15 points but expressed disappointment at the way the season concluded. "Definitely not the way I wanted to go out, especially at home," Terry said, hinting at hopes of extending his career beyond college basketball.
Duncan Powell matched Terry's scoring in the game, also finishing with 15 points, while Naithan George had a challenging night, contributing only 14 points but struggling with six turnovers. The usually reliable Baye Ndongo had an especially rough outing, putting up just four points and five rebounds, marking one of his poorest performances this season.
The Yellow Jackets had their chances to cut into the lead. A promising 7-0 run midway through the first half held the potential to shift momentum; however, Jacksonville State promptly responded, maintaining a firm grip on the game. Following a series of successful three-pointers from Pierre and his teammates, the deficit ballooned to 20 points early in the second half, prompting a timeout from Stoudamire.
Jacksonville State’s ability to answer back each surge from Georgia Tech highlighted their determination and adaptability on the court. As Harper noted after the game, "We took good shots and we had 20 assists... we hit a little bit of a funk late in the year, but tonight we got paint touches and had multiple guys hit [shots]." This ability to capitalize on their opportunities contrasted sharply with Georgia Tech’s missed chances and errors, which piled up against them throughout the game.
While the season ends in disappointment for Georgia Tech, Stoudamire maintains a hopeful perspective, viewing this loss as a moment for introspection and growth. He emphasized to his returning players the importance of adopting a winner's mentality, stating, "It happens. It is unfortunate we played this way this evening. I don’t want to take away what our guys have done this year. We didn’t end the year on a great note, but as we move into the spring and summer... you have to do everything like a winner.”
The 2024-2025 season will indeed be a turning point for Georgia Tech, with returning players determined to build upon their experiences from this campaign. As Stoudamire continues to develop the program, the lessons learned from this NIT disappointment may serve as a foundation for future success. For teams like Jacksonville State, however, this victory would signify the culmination of hard work and preparation throughout the season, showcasing the grit and determination of athletes who fought through their own challenges.
As the Yellow Jackets pack up to head into the off-season, players will look to take stock of their experiences and think about their next steps, with hopes of returning stronger and more competitive in the following year’s campaign.
