Men’s Basketball Falls To Georgia Tech In Regular Season Finale, 66-56

March 8, 2003

By GEORGE HENRYAssociated Press Writer

ATLANTA – Chris Bosh and B.J. Elder each scored 20 points Saturday afternoon as Georgia Tech gave former coach Bobby Cremins a warm welcome back in a 66-56 victory over Clemson.

The Yellow Jackets (14-13, 7-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed after Ed Nelson’s putback made it 38-36 with 16:57 remaining. Bosh hit a 16-footer with 1:00 remaining for Georgia Tech’s biggest lead at 65-52.

Beating Clemson gave Georgia Tech the fifth seed in the upcoming ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The Yellow Jackets will face North Carolina State in the first round Friday afternoon.

Clemson (15-12, 5-11) lost its fourth straight and fell to 1-13 in its last 14 ACC road games. Olu Babalola led the Tigers with 17 points and Chey Christie added nine. Clemson won’t know its first-round opponent until Sunday when No. 10 Duke visits North Carolina and No. 13 Maryland plays at Virginia.

The Tigers’ biggest lead, coming midway through the first half, made it 23-17 on Tomas Nagys’ 15-footer.

Cremins, who now lives in Hilton Head, S.C., and works as a television analyst, was honored after the game as the institute renamed the Alexander Memorial Coliseum floor as Cremins Court.

Former players Mark Price, Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott, Tom Hammonds and Craig Neal were among several thousand people who stayed after the game to honor the coach who retired after the 1999-2000 season with a 454-307 record, including 354-237 in 19 seasons at Georgia Tech.

Other former Yellow Jackets like Travis Best and Matt Harpring, now playing in the NBA, added tributes on video tape. Pre-recorded messages also were given by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Maryland coach Gary Williams and former North Carolina coach Dean Smith.

Cremins retired with the third-most wins in ACC history.