Georgia Tech's B.J. Elder, bottom, and North Carolina State's Jordan Collins scramble for a loose ball during the first half Sunday in Atlanta. North Carolina State won, 53-51. Associated Press

Yellow Jackets get swatted at home

N.C. State 53, Georgia Tech 51

ATLANTA - B.J. Elder's return might eventually help cure Georgia Tech's woes.

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Georgia Tech's Anthony McHenry, right, knocks the ball away from North Carolina State's Engin Atsur during the second half Sunday. Associated Press Georgia Tech's Isma'il Muhammad scores as North Carolina State's Ilian Evtimov looks on during the first half Sunday. Associated Press

His coach, Paul Hewitt, spent all last week saying the senior swingman is not a cure-all, though. Elder's healthy hamstring didn't guarantee that the Yellow Jackets would morph back into a national championship contender, at least in the coach's opinion.

"I hate to be proven right," Hewitt said.

The Jackets did just that Sunday night, losing 53-51 to North Carolina State before a crowd of 9,191 fans at Alexander Memorial Stadium.

Elder didn't turn around Georgia Tech's season when he came back to the lineup last Tuesday. He led the Jackets to their first road victory of the season - but it did come against last-place Clemson and they did struggle for most of that game.

That didn't prevent fans, players - and even Hewitt - from hoping for a rebirth.

Instead, the Wolfpack won despite scoring just 10 points in the final 13 minutes, making all the decisive plays down the stretch.

Guard Tony Bethel scored the eventual winning basket, driving past Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack when Jack lost his footing on defense. His layup gave the Wolfpack a 53-51 lead with 9 seconds left.

N.C. State then forced Georgia Tech to settle for an Elder 3-pointer from deep in the corner at the buzzer.

"It was a good look," Elder said. "It just fell short."

The same could be said for Georgia Tech's offense throughout the game. Georgia Tech shot 39 percent, lowlighted by a 1-for-14 performance from behind the 3-point line.

Jack was the lone Yellow Jacket to score in double figures with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Reach Adam Van Brimmer at adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.

--From the Monday, February 14, 2005 online edition of the Augusta Chronicle