ATLANTA (Interstat) — Georgia Tech used efficient scoring and a strong first-half run to defeat Lafayette 95-81 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Hank McCamish Pavilion. The Yellow Jackets built a 49-43 halftime lead behind 50% shooting and never trailed in the second half, maintaining a double-digit advantage. Georgia Tech shot 50% from the field overall and made 26 of 30 free throws. Lafayette, which shot 44.3%, kept pace early but was outscored 38-26 in the paint. Lamar Washington led Georgia Tech with 20 points and 10 assists. Mark Butler and Caleb Williams each scored 20 for the Leopards. Georgia Tech improved to 8-4, while Lafayette fell to 3-9.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — Lamar Washington orchestrated a dominant offensive performance with a double-double, leading Georgia Tech to a 95-81 victory over Lafayette in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Washington, a 6-foot-4 guard from Portland, Oregon, scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists to pace the Yellow Jackets. He was one of four Georgia Tech players to reach the 20-point mark, joined by Akai Fleming and Kowacie Reeves, who each scored 20, and Kam Craft, who finished with 15. The balanced attack proved too much for a Lafayette team that hung close for a half but could not match Georgia Tech’s efficiency. The most important part of the game was a decisive 14-2 run by Georgia Tech late in the first half that turned a narrow contest into a comfortable lead they would never relinquish. With the Yellow Jackets leading 30-28, Washington ignited the surge with a 3-pointer. After a Lafayette turnover, he found Reeves for a layup. Following another stop, Washington fed Craft for a 3-pointer. He then assisted on another Reeves basket before Craft capped the run with another 3-pointer, this one assisted by Washington, to give Georgia Tech a 44-30 advantage. The run showcased Washington’s control of the game and highlighted the offensive firepower the Leopards could not consistently contain. Georgia Tech shot a blistering 56.3% from 3-point range, making 9 of 16 attempts, and was nearly flawless at the free-throw line, converting 26 of 30. The Yellow Jackets also owned the interior, outscoring Lafayette 38-26 in the paint and outrebounding them on the offensive glass 10-6. Lafayette, which fell to 3-9, was led by Mark Butler’s 20 points and eight assists. Caleb Williams also scored 20 for the Leopards, while Andrew Phillips added 15. Lafayette shot just 44.3% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc, unable to keep pace with Georgia Tech’s offensive rating of 131.5 on an identical 72 possessions. The Yellow Jackets led 49-43 at halftime and methodically extended their lead in the second half, answering every Lafayette push. A key sequence came early in the second period when the Leopards cut the deficit to six points. Georgia Tech responded with a 9-2 spurt, capped by a Cole Kirouac layup, to rebuild a double-digit cushion and effectively seal the game. Georgia Tech improved to 8-4 with the win. The announced attendance was 4,987. Lafayette will open Patriot League play at home against Colgate on Dec. 31. Georgia Tech will host Florida A&M on Dec. 28 before beginning Atlantic Coast Conference action at Duke on New Year’s Eve.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, seeking momentum before opening Atlantic Coast Conference play, host the Lafayette Leopards in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Georgia Tech (7-4) enters on a two-game winning streak, most recently an 87-76 victory over Marist on Tuesday. The Yellow Jackets have relied on efficient offense, scoring 79 or more points in three of their last four contests. A key catalyst has been guard Kowacie Reeves, who is averaging 21.7 points over his last three games. He scored 21 points with three assists against Marist, following a 23-point performance against Monmouth. His backcourt mate, Lamar Washington, is coming off a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. Lafayette (3-7) looks to snap a two-game skid after a narrow 74-72 road loss at Penn on Dec. 8. The Leopards have struggled against high-major competition this season, with losses to West Virginia, Texas and Saint Joseph’s by an average of 24 points. The Leopards will lean on guard Caleb Williams, who has been a consistent scoring threat. Williams is averaging 17.8 points per game and is coming off a 21-point effort in the loss at Penn. He had a season-high 24 points in a win over Mercyhurst on Dec. 5. For Georgia Tech, this game serves as a final tune-up before a demanding ACC slate begins next week. The Yellow Jackets host Florida A&M on Dec. 28 before traveling to face Duke on New Year’s Eve. Lafayette concludes its nonconference schedule with this contest before opening Patriot League play at home against Colgate on Dec. 31. The matchup pits Georgia Tech’s improving offense against a Lafayette defense that has allowed 88 and 74 points in its last two outings. Containing Reeves will be a primary challenge for the Leopards, while the Yellow Jackets must account for Williams’ perimeter scoring. Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.