SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - Wofford guard Fletcher Magee was honored before Wednesday night’s game with Georgia Tech for reaching 1,000 points. He was celebrated even more when the game was over.
Magee tied his career high with 36 points including the go-ahead 3-pointer - his eighth of the game - with 1.9 seconds left as the Terriers overcame a 10-point deficit in the last six minutes to defeat Power Five opponent Georgia Tech 63-60.
The Terriers (5-4) beat an Atlantic Coast Conference team at home in their first-ever game hosting an ACC team. And Magee, the 6-foot-4 sharpshooter, was a huge reason why with 10 points down the stretch after Wofford had fallen behind 55-45 on Tadric Jackson’s jumper.
Magee kept shooting the Terriers back into the game.
“I felt like I could make pretty much all of them,” Magee said.
Especially from way outside where he went 8 of 14 on 3s, including the final basket. Magee said he was supposed to go to the baseline for the shot, but changed when he saw how well Tech was guarding the area. Instead, he took a few steps further back on the left side of the circle and struck for the game-winner.
“I don’t compare people,” Wofford coach Mike Young said. “But that was Curry-esque,” referring to past NBA MVP Steph Curry who, like Magee, played in the Southern Conference with Davidson.
Magee put Wofford ahead 58-57 on his basket with 1:18 to go. When Jackson tied the game at 60 on a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left, it was Magee once more.
Georgia Tech’s desperation, court-length heave was off the mark and Wofford players, coaches and fans began the celebration.
Jackson had 26 points to lead the Yellow Jackets, who lost their third straight - and second in a row to a mid-major after falling to Grambling State 64-63 on Dec. 1.
“We’ve got to take this break,” said Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, whose team does not play again until Dec. 17. “Get healthy and get better.”
Magee tied his career high for points set last February against Samford. It was the third time he has scored 30 or more points in Wofford’s past seven games. His 3s were a season high, but one short of his career best of nine set against VMI during his freshman year in February 2016.
It was the fourth game against a Power Five school for Wofford this season after double-digit losses to South Carolina (73-52), California (79-65) and Texas Tech (79-56). The Terriers play one more, Georgia Tech’s fellow ACC member North Carolina, later this month before they start play in the Southern Conference.
Cameron Jackson had 10 rebounds and four steals for Wofford.
Ben Lammers had 12 points and seven boards for the Yellow Jackets.
THE BIG PICTURE
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets struggled early in their first true road game - they opened against UCLA in China - before Jackson and Lammers got them going late in the opening half. Other than Jackson, Georgia Tech struggled in the small venue as Wofford fans pulled a “Blackout” against their opponents.
Wofford: The Terriers, who’ve made four NCAA Tournament appearances since 2010, have hosted South Carolina of the SEC and Georgia Tech of the ACC at their new arena, the Richardson Indoor Stadium financed by and named after Wofford alum and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
MAGEE’S TIME
Wofford’s Fletcher Magee is having himself a moment. He’s scored in double figures in all eight games, including 20 or more in six of them. The junior played all 40 minutes to beat the Yellow Jackets.
TECH PROBLEMS
Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said his team gave up 17 more shot attempts then it took in the loss. He was also bothered by the team’s 16 turnovers, choppy play he thinks the Yellow Jackets will have to fix before ACC season.
UP NEXT
Georgia Tech is off for nearly two weeks before taking on Florida A&M at home on Dec. 17.
Wofford faces Johnson & Wales at home on Saturday.
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