Sophomore Michael Devoe scored 27 points, including the game-winning three-point play with seven seconds remaining, to help Georgia Tech turn aside upset-minded Bethune-Cookman, 68-67, on Sunday in Atlanta.
With the game tied, Devoe drove the lane and got the layup to fall, despite being fouled by Cletrell Pope. Devoe's free throw dropped in and Bethune-Cookman raced downcourt with a chance to tie, but Leon Redd's 3-pointer would not fall.
Georgia Tech took a 65-63 lead on a layup by Devoe with 1:35 left, but Bethune-Cookman tied it when Pope followed a missed layup with a slam dunk with 28 seconds left.
It was the fourth time this season that Devoe has surpassed 20 points.
Georgia Tech (3-2) also got 12 points and 12 rebounds from Moses Wright and 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks from James Banks, who did not start as punishment for violating team rules. Georgia Tech broke a two-game losing streak.
Bethune-Cookman (5-3) had its four-game winning streak broken. Pope had 22 points and 19 rebounds, the 29th double-double of his career. Isaiah Bailey added 12 points for the Wildcats.
It is the third straight close call for Bethune-Cookman against an ACC opponent for second-year coach Ryan Ridder. The Wildcats lost 65-62 to Georgia Tech in 2017 and fell 78-70 at Miami in 2018.
Bethune-Cookman shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half and led by as many as 10 when Bailey drained a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 20-10 lead. Georgia Tech finished the half strong, hitting 6 of 8 in the final five minutes and closed the lead to 36-34 at halftime.
Georgia Tech, which trailed the entire first half, tied the game on a layup by Banks and took a 38-36 lead on a bucket by Devoe. The Yellow Jackets led by as many as four, but were unable to pull away because of Bethune-Cookman's dominance on the offensive glass. The Wildcats grabbed 20 offensive boards.
There were 11 ties and 11 lead changes in the game.
Georgia Tech played without junior point guard Jose Alvarado (right ankle) for the second straight game and for the fourth time this season.
--Field Level Media
Bethune-Cookman | Georgia Tech | |
Cletrell Pope 20 | Scoring | Michael Devoe 27 |
Isaiah Bailey 6 | Assists | James Banks III 3 |
Cletrell Pope 19 | Rebounds | Moses Wright 12 |
Isaiah Bailey 3 | Free Throws Made | James Banks III 6 |
Malik Maitland 2 | Steals | Evan Cole 2 |
Cletrell Pope 2 | Blocks | James Banks III 8 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Bethune-Cookman | 65 | 38.2 | 4-9 | 9-11 | 13 | 36 | 2 | 5 | 12 |
Georgia Tech | 68 | 52.0 | 2-10 | 14-25 | 12 | 29 | 9 | 3 | 13 |