No Michael Devoe, no problem for Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets had no trouble with their leading scorer sidelined with an illness against visiting Charleston Southern on Monday, as Jordan Usher had a career-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds in Georgia Tech's 85-70 victory.
Devoe, who scored a career-high 37 points in a win against Georgia on Friday, has emerged as one of the nation's best guards. He's averaging 22.8 points on 58.9 percent shooting from the field and a blistering 65 percent from 3-point range, to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
But the Yellow Jackets (4-1) didn't need him against the Buccaneers (2-3).
Kyle Sturdivant scored a career-high 17 points and Rodney Howard added a career-high 12 points to go along with six rebounds for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech consistently worked the ball inside and finished with 50 points in the paint.
The Yellow Jackets shot 57.4 percent (35-for-61) from the floor and 36.4 percent (4-for-11) from 3-point range. Georgia Tech outrebounded the Buccaneers 32-30 and forced 15 turnovers it turned into 12 points.
The Buccaneers pulled to within 71-65 on Sean Price's dunk with 7:21 left in the game. But the Yellow Jackets responded by going on a 12-5 run to put the game away.
All eight Yellow Jackets who played scored and had at least one rebound.
Georgia Tech won its fourth straight game since a season-opening loss to visiting Miami of Ohio.
Charleston Southern was led by Tahlik Chavez with 15 points. Deontaye Buskey scored 11 points while Sadarius Bowser and Taje' Kelly each added 10. The Buccaneers shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) from the floor and 30.8 percent (8-for-26) from 3-point range.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed. Georgia Tech led 42-29 at the half and by as many as 17 in the second half.
--Field Level Media
Charleston Southern | Georgia Tech | |
Tahlik Chavez 15 | Scoring | Jordan Usher 24 |
Tahlik Chavez 5 | Assists | Saba Gigiberia 3 |
Cheikh Faye 5 | Rebounds | Jordan Usher 10 |
Sadarius Bowser 4 | Free Throws Made | Deivon Smith 3 |
Tahlik Chavez 2 | Steals | Miles Kelly 2 |
Taje' Kelly 1 | Blocks | Saba Gigiberia 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Charleston Southern | 70 | 44.1 | 8-26 | 10-15 | 15 | 27 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
Georgia Tech | 85 | 56.5 | 4-11 | 11-15 | 16 | 32 | 2 | 7 | 11 |