UNC Asheville suffered a heartbreaking 75‑74 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday night, a game that could have gone to overtime had a crucial mistake not been made in the final seconds.
Late heroics and a costly error
Georgia Tech built a 74‑71 lead with just over two seconds left when Connor Dubsky nailed a three‑pointer to tie the game and set up a potential extra period. However, UNC Asheville forward Myles Mayfield appeared unaware of the score and intentionally fouled Yellow Jacket guard Victor Valdes almost immediately.
Head coach Mike Morrell expressed disbelief at the foul, but he and his players quickly rallied around Mayfield, offering consolation. The foul sent Valdes to the free‑throw line, where he made one of two attempts, giving Georgia Tech a one‑point lead that the Bulldogs could not overcome.
Mayfield’s strong performance
Mayfield had a standout night, scoring 21 points on an efficient 9‑of‑11 shooting display. His scoring outburst was a bright spot for the Bulldogs, who had led by as many as 10 points with 6:30 remaining in the second half.
Despite the early advantage, UNC Asheville could not maintain its momentum. Georgia Tech rallied from a 32‑25 halftime deficit, erasing an 11‑point second‑half hole to force the game into its final moments.
Georgia Tech’s rebounding edge
The Yellow Jackets compensated for a modest 37% field‑goal percentage by dominating the glass, pulling down 19 offensive rebounds and holding a 45‑37 advantage on the boards. Their rebounding effort helped generate second‑chance opportunities that proved decisive.
Key contributors for Georgia Tech included Tylis Jordan, who added seven rebounds, and Jackson Fields, who posted a double‑double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Kam Craft contributed 13 points, hitting four three‑pointers, while Kaiden Bailey added 11 points off the bench.
Looking ahead
Both programs remain unbeaten early in the season, with Georgia Tech improving to 4‑0 and UNC Asheville seeking to rebound from the narrow defeat. The Bulldogs will look to build on Mayfield’s offensive output while tightening up late‑game decision‑making to avoid similar costly fouls.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
