Georgia Tech’s difficult season ended with another close heartbreak Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets led at halftime but could not stop Clemson’s second half surge, falling 79-76 in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season finale.
The loss marked Georgia Tech’s 12th straight defeat and officially closed a frustrating campaign for the program. Despite strong scoring efforts from several players, Clemson’s late execution proved decisive.
Clemson stages second half comeback to secure win
The game at Littlejohn Coliseum began with Georgia Tech showing urgency and confidence.
The Yellow Jackets trailed early but quickly took control with a strong offensive stretch. A 12-0 run in the first half flipped the momentum and pushed Georgia Tech into the lead.
By halftime, Georgia Tech held a 39-33 advantage.
Clemson regrouped after the break.
The Tigers erased the deficit and dominated the second half, outscoring Georgia Tech 46-37. Their balanced offense and timely defensive stops gradually shifted the game in their favor.
With just under two minutes remaining, a key three point shot by Clemson guard Butta Johnson extended the lead and created breathing room.
Clemson sealed the victory in the final seconds by converting free throws, closing the game at 79-76.
Mustaf leads Georgia Tech with career performance
Even in defeat, Georgia Tech produced several standout individual performances.
Freshman guard Jaeden Mustaf delivered the best game of his young career.
He scored a career high 28 points and led all scorers on the court. Mustaf attacked the basket aggressively and kept the Yellow Jackets competitive throughout the game.
Two other Georgia Tech players also delivered strong offensive nights:
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Kowacie Reeves Jr. scored 20 points in his final college game
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Akai Fleming added 18 points
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The trio combined for 66 of Georgia Tech’s 76 total points
For much of the afternoon, that scoring surge kept Georgia Tech in front.
However, the team struggled to close the game during the final minutes, allowing Clemson to regain control.
Balanced scoring powers Clemson victory
Clemson relied on balanced production rather than a single dominant scorer.
Two Tigers led the team with identical scoring totals.
| Clemson Player | Points |
|---|---|
| Butta Johnson | 15 |
| Nick Davidson | 15 |
| Carter Welling | 13 |
| Ace Buckner | 10 |
Johnson was particularly effective late in the game. His three point shot with 1 minute 38 seconds remaining pushed Clemson ahead 75-70 and shifted the pressure onto Georgia Tech.
Ace Buckner also made two critical free throws with just seconds left to secure the result.
The Tigers finished the regular season with a 22-9 overall record and 12-6 in ACC play.
Georgia Tech season ends outside ACC tournament
For Georgia Tech, the defeat confirmed a disappointing end to the season.
The Yellow Jackets finished with an overall record of 11-20 and just 2-16 in conference play.
Because of that record, the team did not qualify for the upcoming ACC Tournament.
A short season snapshot shows the challenge the program faced.
Georgia Tech 2025-26 season snapshot
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Overall record: 11-20
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ACC record: 2-16
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Final losing streak: 12 games
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ACC Tournament qualification: Did not qualify
The losing streak began late in the season and stretched through the final stretch of conference games.
Despite several competitive performances, Georgia Tech struggled to close out tight matchups.
Clemson turns focus to ACC Tournament
While Georgia Tech’s season is over, Clemson now shifts attention to postseason play.
The Tigers secured the No. 5 seed in the ACC Tournament and will begin play Wednesday in Charlotte.
Their first opponent will be the winner of the opening round matchup between the No. 12 and No. 13 seeds.
Momentum could play a key role.
Saturday’s comeback win gives Clemson confidence heading into the tournament, especially after recent inconsistent performances.
For Georgia Tech, the offseason begins immediately.
The program now faces questions about rebuilding, development and future direction under head coach Damon Stoudamire. The team showed flashes of talent, especially from younger players, but struggled to maintain consistency across the season.
In the end, the Yellow Jackets fought hard in their finale but fell just short again. A promising halftime lead slipped away, closing the season on a tough note for players and fans alike.
