Georgia Tech outlasts New Mexico at the Cancun Challenge

GEORGIA TECH 66, NEW MEXICO 55

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MX — Although Thanksgiving was on Thursday, both the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets   (5-1) and New Mexico Lobos (4-2) remained hungry for a win in Mexico, in a battle between the Southeastern Conference and the Mountain West. Despite a slow start early, the Yellow Jackets came out on top with the 66-55 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

With both teams coming off loses on Thursday, the Lobos and Yellow Jackets struggled to find any offensive rhythm early on, each shooting sub-20% from the field in the first quarter.

While the shooting gradually improved in the second quarter, the two squads still had trouble connecting from beyond the arc (UNM 1-11, GT 3-13). Georgia Tech had the standout statistic of the half, outrebounding the Lobos 24-17, on their way to a halftime lead of 25-20.

Georgia Tech junior forward Kayla Blackshear provided a spark for the Yellow Jackets offense in the second half of the game with 6 points in the first two minutes. Blackshear and sophomore guard Tonie Morgan guided Georgia Tech to an eventual 51-41 lead by the end of the third quarter.

New Mexico's ability to create fastbreak points helped the Lobos keep the game close until the end, but the Yellow Jackets powered through for the win.

Blackshear finished leading the scoring for Georgia Tech, while Morgan recorded a double-double in the stat line during the win.

UNM scoring was led by Aniyah Augmon and Nyah Wilson, who added 15 points on 9-of-10 free throw shooting.

Friday evening marked the end of this year's Cancun Challenge for both teams as they concluded play in the Riviera Tournament. Next up for Georgia Tech, they will host the Florida Gators in Atlanta on Wednesday, Nov. 29. UNM will host Eastern Illinois next Tuesday as their non-conference play continues.

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