ATLANTA, Ga.- Savannah State out-scored Georgia Tech 33-25 in the second half but would still fall short in a 69-59 loss to the Yellow Jackets in Alexander Memorial Coliseum before 5,436 fans.

SSU trailed 44-26 at the half but scored 13 straight points during a 18-7 run to open the second half to make it a 51-44 game with 12:26 on the clock.

Tech answered Savannah State's run with eight unanswered points to widen their lead to 58-44 with 8:12 remaining.

The Tigers deficit grew to 15 but an 10-1 run pulled SSU within 63-57 with 52 seconds left.

Tech countered with free throws from Brian Oliver and Maurice Miller to go ahead by 10 with 28 seconds on the clock.

After two free throws by SSU's Joshua Montgomery to slice Tech's lead to eight, Miller hit two more free throws with14 seconds remaining for the last points of the contest.

Jovonni Shuler led SSU (1-10) with 26 points and eight rebounds while Montgomery added 13 points and nine boards. Preston Blackmon chipped in 10 points and six assists.

Mfon Udofia began the game with a 3-pointer and the next four points by Tech came from the free throw line as they built a 7-0 lead.

Blackmon made a 3-pointer for the Tigers and Shuler made a jumper and a free throw to pull SSU within 7-6 with 16:52 on the clock.

SSU trailed by three with 11:20 remaining but the Yellow Jackets (5-4) went on a 23-6 run to go ahead 39-19 with 2:34 left.

The Tech lead increased to 21 with just over a minute left in the opening half.

Tech placed four players in double figures with Oliver and Iman Shumpert scored 17 points each. Shumpert also had 10 rebounds.

Savannah State out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets 43 to 34 and shot better from 3-point range (50% to 23.1%) but made more turnovers, 22 to 6.