Basketball ends road losing streak

Tech ended its long road-losing streak with a victory over Florida State last Tuesday, 63-57.

While Tech went ahead three times during the first half, they entered the locker room trailing 35-30. The Jackets opened the second half with a 20-7 run that gave Tech a lead it would never give up.

Javaris Crittenton scored a career-high 29 points and led all scorers in the game. The freshman scored 11 points during a crucial 13-2 run in the second half that gave Tech the lead for good.

Crittenton's performances during the four-game winning streak sharply contrasted his play during the four-game skid that preceded it. He scored only 32 points, making only 11 shots on 46 attempts during the losing streak. In the last four games, Crittenton scored 89 points on 53 percent shooting and set career highs in points on two different nights.

"I was trying to execute the offense too perfectly [before]. I just came out and played my game instead of trying to be robotic. I try to keep getting [struggling teammates] touches, but we've got to get baskets so I take it upon myself sometimes," Crittenton told ajc.com.

Anthony Morrow, Tech's second leading scorer, struggled from outside the three-point arc, only making one of six shots and finishing on one of 10 shooting. Morrow was better on the free throw line, making five of six shots from the charity line. He finished with eight points.

Florida State's Isaiah Swann also scored a career high with 23 points. Al Thornton, the Seminoles' leading scorer on the season, was the only other player from Florida State to get into double figures.

As a team, Tech has shown its commitment to defense in the past four games. While Tech scored its second-lowest output of the season, it also limited an ACC opponent to just 57 points, a season low.

Tech had only 11 turnovers and six steals for the night. The Jackets allowed just 22 points in the second half and shut down the Seminoles' offense for nearly 16 minutes in the second half, allowing only nine points during the span.

Before the win in Tallahassee, Tech had not won a road game in nearly two years. The Jackets' last road win came against Miami on Feb. 26, 2005, a 76-72 road victory.

The Jackets have also climbed back into ACC contention and are 5-6 on the season. The win total exceeds Tech's total wins in ACC competition from last year. The Jackets finished just 4-12 in conference play last season.

The win also gave Tech a season sweep of the Seminoles. Earlier in the season, Tech defeated Florida State 88-80 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. It was Tech's last victory before beginning its four game skid.

Tech will play its second consecutive road game in Durham, NC against Duke. The Jackets will be aiming for their second straight road game win and a season sweep of Duke.

If Tech were to win at Cameron Indoor Stadium this Sunday, Tech would have only its third season sweep of the Blue Devils. It would be the first time it has happened since 1996. The only other time was in 1987.