Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Cardinals @ Yellow Jackets

Returning for a home game before embarking on a trip to Honolulu, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-4, 1-1 ACC) are gearing up for a matchup with the Ball State Cardinals (5-4, 0-0 MAC) here at McCamish Pavilion for the on campus leg of the Diamond Head Classic.

It's their first ever matchup with the Cardinals, and Tech is hoping to rebound from a 67-53 loss to the #8 Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.

Tipoff is set for 7:00pm, and you can catch the game on ACC Network Extra & Fox Sports South.

PREGAME/PREVIEW

Ahead of today's 7:00pm tip, be sure to check out our preview of the Cardinals and other related readings:

What To Watch For Vs. Ball State

Tale of The Tape: Ball State Cardinals

Josh Pastner Previews Ball State

Jordan Usher Excited To Begin GT Career

5 Questions For Former Ball State Center Trey Moses

Probable Starters:

- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

G Bubba Parham

G Michael Devoe

F Khalid Moore

F Moses Wright

F/C James Banks III

- Ball State Cardinals

G Jarron Coleman

G Luke Bumbalough

G Ishmael El-Amin

F Kyle Mallers

F Brachen Hazen

Jordan Usher will make his GT debut tonight after transferring from USC this past January. Said yesterday that about “200 friends and family” will be in attendance. pic.twitter.com/cKFlKZztRa
— All Yellow Jackets (@GeorgiaTechSI) December 18, 2019

Update: Jordan Usher will start tonight in place of Bubba Parham. Michael Devoe goes to point guard.

FIRST HALF:

14:51: Neither team is doing particularly well to start the game. Georgia Tech is doing well closing out on the perimeter to prevent Ball State from taking many three point shots, and on the other end of the floor, they cannot seen to establish any offensive rhythm. After starting the game, Jordan usher is the first player to head to the bench, being replaced by Bubba Parham to go back to the normal lineup that Tech has been using in lieu of Jose Alvarado. The game is tied 5-5.

11:42: Yet again, the Yellow Jackets cannot seem to buy a basket. So far, they are 3-12 from the field including going on a stretch where they were 1-10 and went three and a half minutes without scoring a field goal. Ball State isn't shooting much better at 4-11, but are 2-5 from beyond the arc. GT trails BSU 10-8.

8:27: Tech is in complete disarray. The Cardinals are on a 13-0 run and the Jackets have 7 turnovers in the last 4:15. They have 10 turnovers in 19 possessions.

4:32: The Jackets cannot seem to hit hardly anything. They are just 5-20 from the field and 1-6 from beyond the arc. The majority of the fouls and turnovers are coming from Usher, as he has 3 fouls and 5 turnovers.

2:54: Georgia Tech has not scored a field goal in the last 2:44. BSU leads 26-14.

Half: Ball State 31, Georgia Tech 15.

Stats:

SECOND HALF:

15:58: Tech isn't doing themselves any favors if they want to get back in the game. They're 0-5 so far in the second half with the only points coming off a pair of free throws from Jordan Usher. Speaking of Usher, he picked up his 4th foul of the game just minutes into the second half. Meanwhile, Ball State is 3-7 in the opening minutes of the half to take a 20 point lead.

12:54: Tech had a stretch where they made 3 field goals in a row and 4 of their last 5, but it's still an uphill climb for the Jackets. They have 20 turnovers with more than half of the second half to go. Devoe has started to find some rhythm, leading all Tech scorers with 9. BSU still leads 41-26.

11:22: Ball State has missed 2 of their last 10 shots and are on a 2:14 scoring drought.

9:34: After back to back Ball State 3's Pastner calls a TO. The Cardinals are on an 8-0 run and have made their last 3 shots to take a 20 point lead once again.

7:59: The Jackets cannot seemingly get any momentum going on either end of the floor. They are shooting just 11-40 and allowing Ball State to shoot 20-43. On top of that, they have 22 turnovers.

6:30: BSU is on a 12-2 run, and GT is on a 2:48 scoring drought while hitting just 1 of their last 7 shots.

5:16: Ball State hits their 10th three pointer of the game.

3:19: Tech finally gets double digit scorer in Michael Devoe with 11. Meanwhile BSU has 2 and are shooting 10-23 from beyond the arc.

1:41: Evan Cole is assessed a Flagrant 1 foul.

1:27: A hook shot from James Banks III gives him double digits with 11.

0:00: GT finishes the game on a 12-0 run that came a little too late.

FINAL: Ball State 65, Georgia Tech 47

Final Stats:

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