AMERICUS — Jets coach Steven Wright has said all season his three sophomores would carry the team.
And the trio of Rearkus McCrory, Daley Strafford and Markell Smith were the difference on Saturday.
The three combined for 48 points as South Georgia Tech knocked off Atlanta Metro, 64-58, at The Hangar as the win stopped a 2-game skid.
"I did not start Ree, but I did start Daley," said Wright. "There was no particular reason. Ree struggled the last couple of games, so I let him sit a couple of minutes to see the flow of the game and not feel pressured to perform right away. Based on him getting 19, it may be an indicator that it did relieve some of the pressure.
"Those guys have to score. We would have obviously liked to score more than 64. They pretty much got their averages and did what they needed to do."
Leading 55-46 with 8:47 remaining, Strafford used a 7-0 run of his own to put the Panthers away for good. A Smith offensive rebound and McCrory 3-pointer finished off Atlanta Metro (9-15, 3-5).
The Jets (13-11, 5-4) held the Panthers to 37 percent shooting and 2 of 14 behind the arc. SGTC shot 44 percent and held the edge in bench points (28-6), second-chance points (16-5) and points off turnovers (22-17).
The game went back and forth to start as it was tied at 16. The Jets went on a 15-2 run and closed the half with a 41-30 lead.
"I really think that gave us some confidence to actually win the game," said Wright. "The last couple of games we haven't been up late in the first half with that kind of lead. As we went into halftime, I think the guys were somewhat relieved they had a double-digit lead."
Wright was glad to see the team had taken 14 free throws compared with nine 3-pointers in the first half; those numbers changed, however, to four and 11 in the second half.
SGTC was 6 of 20 behind the arc and 8 of 18 at the free-throw line for the game.
"Ultimately for us to score, we have to attack the basket and get to the line," said Wright.
Scott Ferguson led the Panthers with 22 points and 12 rebounds; Tony Dukes, the conference's leading scorer was held to nine. Wright said Dukes had scored 38 points three times this season.
Women
South Georgia Tech 71, Atlanta Metro 52
Ophelia McMath scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the first half and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Dee Smith scored 11 as the Lady Jets improved to 7-1 in conference play and 21-5 overall.
SGTC held Atlanta Metro to 24 percent shooting in the first half in taking a 33-18 lead into intermission.
Reka Ruttner scored all eight of her points in the second half as the Lady Panthers failed to get closer than 18.
"I thought the first half we did a decent job of knocking down some open shots," said coach Brandan Harrell. "I'm still deeply concerned with our ability to not give up offensive rebounds. I felt like we gave away quite a few. That hurt us before, and I'm scared it will hurt us again."
The Lady Jets had to rally to win the first meeting in Atlanta, and Harrell said he thought the Lady Panthers would have put up more of a fight.
This is Metro's first year having a women's basketball program.
"I'm surprised they didn't play quite as hard as they did at their place," he said. "I told them I was fearful tonight. They're one of the more dangerous games we've played. They've come so close to picking some folks off. I'm just happy to get one."
SGTC plays at Andrew on Monday with a 6:30 p.m. tip.
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Chris Whitaker
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Jets stop skid against Metro
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