Georgia Tech defeats Penn State 82-81 after controversial foul call on Ace Baldwin
It was a wild ending as Georgia Tech defeated Penn State 82-81 in overtime at Madison Square Garden following an Ace Baldwin foul.
Baldwin, who missed the potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation, as well as the final shot in overtime, was called for a foul that led to free throws for the Yellow Jackets. With two free throws from Miles Kelly, Georgia Tech took the lead for good.
In the sequence, Kelly got an offensive rebound following a Qudus Wahab block. But he tripped backward over Baldwin, who was on the floor following an initial fight for the ball.
“Georgia Tech survives because of a phantom foul call on Ace Baldwin with 2.1 seconds left,” Brian Rauff of Heat Check CBB wrote on Twitter. “Absolutely brutal officiating ended up deciding a tightly contested game. Hate to see it end that way, but the Yellow Jackets will take it.”
Penn State fell to 5-6 on the year with the loss. Baldwin finished the game with 18 points, one rebound, seven assists and four steals. Despite a rough ending to the game, Baldwin was solid overall and was a coveted transfer from VCU.
As a member of the Class of 2020, Baldwin was a three-star recruit out of Baltimore (M.D.), according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 5 overall prospect in the state, the No. 41 point guard in the class and the No. 181 overall prospect in the class.
Penn State trailed 39-37 at halftime in a back-and-forth affair against Georgia Tech. While it went down to the wire, Baldwin had a chance to put the game away before overtime.
His game-winning shot attempt was air-balled and the teams played on. However, he assisted on Kayne Clary’s jumper that gave Penn State the 81-80 lead with 23 seconds remaining.
During GT’s final possession, Kowacie Reeves Jr. missed a three-pointer, got his own rebound and then was blocked by Wahab. That’s what led to the ensuing chaos.
Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, it turned into a loss and a bitter taste leaving MSG. Baldwin and company will be back in action against Le Moyne on December 21.