ATLANTA — Jose Alvarado scored 20 points, making a pullup jumper with 45 seconds left and two clinching free throws at 12 seconds, and Georgia Tech defeated North Carolina 72-67 in a second-half comeback Wednesday night.
Michael Devoe also scored 20 points in a breakthrough game, hitting four of Georgia Tech’s 10 3-point baskets and adding four assists. Devoe had scored a total of 13 points in his previous two games against the Tar Heels.
Alvarado added seven rebounds and seven assists. Hitting one from distance, he’s made a 3-pointer in 26 straight games.
The Yellow Jackets (5-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed by as many as 11 in the first half and never led until Moses Wright elevated for a scoop on the fast break, taking a bounce pass in stride from Alvarado for a 52-49 lead midway through the second half.
The lead appeared anything but permanent, however, as North Carolina (5-4, 0-2) scored 12 of the next 13 points — including back-to-back 3-pointers from Kerwin Walton — to build a 61-53 lead with under seven minutes to play.
But Georgia Tech outscored the Tar Heels 19-6 down the stretch to claim the win. Bubba Parham scored all nine of his points in the second half, going 3-for-3 from distance, including consecutive 3-pointers in the stretch run. Georgia Tech has won three in a row.
Armando Bacot led North Carolina with 14 points. Leaky Black added 10. The Tar Heels were 43% shooting from the floor (25 of 56) with eight 3-pointers and 18 turnovers that led to 19 Georgia Tech points.
The Yellow Jackets picked up 11 steals and were outrebounded 37-25.
Roy Williams changed his starting lineup for the first time this season, going with Caleb Love, Andrew Platek, Walton, Day’Ron Sharpe and Bacot. Aside from Bacot, the starters provided 27 points on 10-for-25 shooting.
UNC has lost two straight by a total of eight points.
North Carolina’s scheduled Saturday game versus Syracuse has been postponed. The Tar Heels play next on Jan. 5 at Miami. Georgia Tech hosts Wake Forest on Sunday.
High Point 63, South Carolina Upstate 52
HIGH POINT — Denny Slay II registered 17 points as High Point defeated South Carolina Upstate 63-52 on Wednesday night.
Ahmil Flowers added 13 points and Lydell Elmore chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds for High Point (3-5, 1-2 Big South Conference).
Nevin Zink tied a career high with 21 points and had 12 rebounds for the Spartans (0-9, 0-3). Dalvin White added 10 points and Bryson Mozone had seven rebounds.
UNC Asheville 80, Longwood 73
FARMVILLE, Va. — Tajion Jones had 23 points as UNC Asheville defeated Longwood 80-73 on Wednesday.
LJ Thorpe had 18 points and five assists for UNC Asheville (4-4, 3-0 Big South Conference). Evan Clayborne added 12 points and nine rebounds. Lavar Batts Jr. had eight assists. Trent Stephney, whose 10 points per game heading into the contest was second on the Bulldogs, was held to three points.
DeShaun Wade had 19 points for the Lancers (1-8, 0-3), who have now lost five straight games. Christian Wilson added 15 points and Heru Bligen had six rebounds.
Richmond 80, Davidson 74
DAVIDSON — Grant Golden had 22 points as Richmond beat Davidson 80-74 on Wednesday night, denying Wildcats coach Bob McKillop his 600th career victory.
Tyler Burton had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Richmond (7-2, 1-0 Atlantic 10 Conference). Blake Francis added 16 points. Nathan Cayo had 15 points.
Hyunjung Lee had 17 points for the Wildcats (5-4, 1-1). Luka Brajkovic added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Sam Mennenga had 13 points.
Kellan Grady, the Wildcats’ leading scorer coming into the matchup at 18 points per game, had seven points (2 of 11).
Hampton 80, Gardner-Webb 69
HAMPTON, Va. — Davion Warren had a career-high 31 points as Hampton defeated Gardner-Webb 80-69 on Wednesday.
Chris Shelton scored a career-high 22 points and had six rebounds for Hampton (4-4, 3-0 Big South Conference). Saheem Anthony added 10 points and Russell Dean had a career-high 14 assists.
Lance Terry scored a career-high 26 points for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (1-5, 0-1). Anthony Selden added six rebounds and Ludovic Dufeal had three blocks. Jaheam Cornwall, whose 13 points per game coming into the contest ranked second on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, shot only 20% in the game (3 of 15).
Winthrop 84, Campbell 83
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Chandler Vaudrin had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Winthrop edged past Campbell 84-83 on Wednesday.
Vaudrin made a free throw with 1:01 left for a 77-69 lead, and Winthrop hit 8 of 11 in the final minute to seal it.
Charles Falden added 16 points for Winthrop (6-0, 3-0 Big South Conference). The Eagles attempted 50 free throws.
Jordan Whitfield had 17 points for the Fighting Camels (4-4, 0-1), who have now lost four games in a row. Jesus Carralero added 16 points and five assists, and Austin McCullough had 16 points.
East Tennessee State 86, Western Carolina 78
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ty Brewer scored 24 points as East Tennessee State defeated Western Carolina 86-78 on Wednesday night in the Southern Conference opener for both teams.
Ledarrius Brewer added 21 points for East Tennessee State (5-4, 1-0 Southern Conference), which earned its fourth straight home victory.
Ty Brewer shot 9 for 11 from the floor. Ledarrius Brewer also had seven rebounds and seven steals.
Damari Monsanto added 13 points and Silas Adheke had 12 points East Tennessee State.
Matt Halvorsen had 19 points for the Catamounts (7-3, 0-1). Cory Hightower added 14 points and eight rebounds. Mason Faulkner had 13 points.
