Georgia Tech women’s basketball win ACC home opener over Clemson, 74-66

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Behind a career-high 18 rebounds and and 16 points from forward Roddreka Rogers, the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team won its ACC home opener on Sunday with a 74-66 win over Clemson.

It was the fourth double-double of the season for Rogers and the ninth of her career.

Yellow Jackets’ head coach MaChelle Joseph is now the all-time winningest coach in program history with a career record of 224-139. She surpassed Agnus Berenato’s record of 223-209 which Berenato accomplished in 15 seasons. Joseph is in the middle of her 12th season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets.

“I’m proud of the way our team played today,” Joseph said. “I thought that when you get four people in double figures that says you are sharing the basketball and you are playing as a team. I was really impressed with the play of Roddreka Rogers. I’ve never seen anyone rebound the basketball the way she does.”

Aaliyah Whiteside and Kaela Davis each scored a game-high 17 points for the Yellow Jackets (11-5, 1-1 ACC) while Zaire O’Neil scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Whiteside had a game-high seven assists which were also a career-high for the junior.

Georgia Tech shot 44.3 percent from the field while Clemson shot 35.7 percent. The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the Tigers 49-36 in the victory.

Nikki Dixon scored a game-high 17 points for Clemson (9-6, 1-1 ACC) while Cha’nelle Perry (14 points) and Chelsea Lindsay (12 points) had double-figures for the Tigers.

Georgia Tech held a 38-28 halftime lead. Rogers reached a double-double in the first half with game-highs in points (10) and rebounds (12). Whiteside scored nine for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech shot 43.8 percent from the field, hitting three out of 10 three-pointer attempts.

Clemson was led in the first half by Chelsea Lindsay who had a team-high eight points. The Tigers shot 31.4 percent from the floor, making only two out of 11 three-pointers.

Clemson outscored Georgia Tech 38-36 in the second half.