South Georgia Tech advances with 60-59 win over Albany Tech

Staff Reports

AMERICUS — South Georgia Technical College survived a tense finish Tuesday night, holding off Albany Technical College 60–59 to advance to the NJCAA Region XVII men’s basketball semifinals.

Albany Tech had a chance to steal the game in the closing seconds, but the Titans’ final shot missed, allowing the third-seeded Jets to escape with the one-point victory and move on to Friday night’s semifinal round in Macon.

South Georgia Tech will face South Georgia State at 8 p.m. Friday at Central Georgia Technical College, after South Georgia State defeated Georgia Highlands 72–62 in its quarterfinal matchup.

In the other semifinal, Central Georgia Tech will meet Gordon College at 6 p.m. Friday. Central Georgia advanced with a 75–65 win over Southern Crescent, while Gordon defeated East Georgia State 83–75. The championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday in Macon, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Tuesday’s quarterfinal between the Jets and Albany Tech turned into a defensive struggle with neither team shooting well.

South Georgia Tech connected on 22 of 59 field-goal attempts (37.3%), including 4 of 21 from three-point range, and made 12 of 27 free throws. Albany Tech had similar struggles, hitting 24 of 58 field goals, 5 of 18 three-pointers, and 6 of 14 free throws. The game also featured heavy physical play, with Albany Tech committing 24 fouls and South Georgia Tech 18.

The Jets built an early lead and went up 17–8 in the first half before Albany Tech rallied. The Titans took their first lead late in the half and carried a 35–31 advantage into the locker room.

South Georgia Tech chipped away in the second half and moved back in front 41–40 with 15:08 remaining. The Jets maintained a narrow edge until Albany Tech regained the lead 53–52 with just over five minutes left.

The Titans appeared poised to pull off the upset when they scored with 27.3 seconds remaining to move ahead 59–58.

But sophomore guard Jalexs Ewing delivered the decisive basket, scoring with 15.3 seconds left to give the Jets a 60–59 lead.

Albany Tech had one final opportunity but could not convert, sending South Georgia Tech into the semifinal round.

Ewing led the Jets with 19 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double and scoring the game-winning basket.

Ilich Yacaman added nine points, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, while Jarius Davis and Marc Ferdy each scored seven points. Clark Mastin finished with six points, and Matt Mbole contributed five points and 10 rebounds. Dwight Brown scored four points and Marcellus Myles added three.

Albany Tech was led by Tyler Husband with 18 points, while Nicholas Durham added 17.

Meanwhile, the South Georgia Tech Lady Jets will host the women’s NJCAA Region XVII Tournament beginning Thursday at 6 p.m., when they face East Georgia State. Albany Tech and Central Georgia Tech will meet in the other semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The winners will play for the championship Friday at 6 p.m. at South Georgia Tech, with the victor advancing to the NJCAA Women’s National Tournament in Lake Charles, Louisiana, March 24–31.