SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Before the fifth-place game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt told backup Zachery Peacock that he would need to contribute two 3-pointers against Boston University.
Peacock delivered without a hitch, going 2 for 2 beyond the arc. The senior forward also led the No. 21 Yellow Jackets with 22 points in an 85-67 victory over the Terriers on Sunday.
“I’m thinking about raising the stakes next time,” Hewitt said Sunday, nodding at Peacock, who started every game last year.
Boston coach Patrick Chambers certainly wasn’t prepared for Peacock’s performance, which included 10 of 11 from the field and three rebounds.
“Peacock was unbelievable,” Chambers said. “I give that kid a lot of credit.”
The big Georgia Tech frontcourt player acknowledged that he “felt a little different” on Sunday after two quiet performances earlier in San Juan. “I took what the defense gave me,” he said, helping give Georgia Tech 32 points off the bench.
Georgia Tech lost 63-59 to No. 18 Dayton in the first round on Thursday before beating George Mason 70-62 in Friday’s second round.
Gani Lawal added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Mfon Udofia scored 15 for the Yellow Jackets (3-1), who led 42-40 at the half. But the Terriers’ inability to take care of the basketball and stifling defense by Georgia Tech eventually took its toll.
John Holland scored a game-high 23 points for Boston (1-4). Corey Lowe added 17.
The Yellow Jackets’ size was too much for the smaller Boston squad, which was outscored 40-18 in the paint. They also grabbed 45 rebounds to 29 for the Terriers.
Boston University was the unanimous preseason pick to win the America East Conference by the league’s coaches, but has not beaten a ranked opponent since a 62-55 victory over then-No. 18 Navy on March 13, 1959.
Chambers said Georgia Tech’s size wore his team down at the end.
“They battled to the best of their ability against a Top 25 team,” Chambers said. “For 30 minutes, I thought we did a pretty good job. We were right there.”’