ATLANTA, Ga. - Georgia Tech secured a 95-81 win over Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at McCamish Pavilion. The Yellow Jackets shot an even 50 percent from the field, including 56 percent  from three-point range.

Guards Mark Butler and Caleb Williams combined for 40 points. Butler led the Leopards on both ends of the court, collecting 20 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Williams added 20 points of his own, with three rebounds and six assists. Andrew Phillips and Christian Humphrey-Rembert each knocked down four three-pointers en route to 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Three Yellow Jackets tallied games with 20 points (Kowacie Reeves, Akai Fleming and Lamar Washington). Washington was the backbone of the Georgia Tech attack, recording a double-double with 10 assists.

After the initial five minutes of action, the game  was tied, 11-11. Over the next few minutes, Georgia Tech initiated a 12-0 stretch that began and ended with scores by Peyton Marshall. With 11:43 on the clock, the Yellow Jackets held a 23-11 advantage.

The Leopards rallied in the first half. After a Kam Craft three at 6:55, Butler found Humphrey-Rembert for a Lafayette triple. The two schools traded punches down the stretch. The Maroon and White capitalized with five seconds left when Butler stole an errant pass for an easy layup. At the break, the hosts led 49-43.

In the second half, Humphrey-Rembert kicked off the scoring with a shot beyond the arc (49-46). Georgia Tech countered with a successful and-one from Mouhamed Sylla. At the 14:48 mark, Butler found his way to the rim to convert the layup to trail by one (56-55).

The hosts kept their distance down to the nine-minute mark, before using a 7-0 spurt to add to the 12-point lead, 75-63 by 6:59.

A battle at the charity stripe ensued with Williams netting seven of Lafayette's 10 free throws from then on to the final seconds. He aimed to combat Washington's six in his team's equal amount (10), but the Yellow Jacket's Fleming tallied a 3-pointer with two seconds left on the clock to seal the deal, 95-81, at the buzzer.

Freshman Shareef Jackson was perfect from the field, making all four of his attempts for eight points. The rookie also chipped in five boards, one assist and a steal. In 16 minutes of action, Kaimani Murdock recorded six points, all of which came via the triple. 

Lafayette returns home on Dec. 31 to open conference play against Colgate at 3 p.m.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.