ATLANTA (AP) Brandon Alston scored 15 points, freshman reserve Khalid Moore came out of almost nowhere to add a career-high 14 on a perfect shooting afternoon, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets's defense clamped down on Florida A&M Rattlers on Sunday as the Yellow Jackets dominated the Rattlers 73-40.
Moore sought no special credit after making all six of his shots, including his first two 3-pointers of his career, even though the forward from Briarwood, New York, entered the game with 16 total points on 3-of-11 shooting in six games.
He put up more than half that in the first half while scoring 10 straight points as Tech (5-3) took a 36-13 lead.
The Yellow Jackets snapped a two-game losing streak.
''I feel like we're all getting better as a team and we're getting more comfortable playing with each other,'' he said after adding three rebounds and two steals.
Rod Melton Jr. paced Florida State A&M (3-8) with nine points, but the Rattlers had a hard time getting off shots. They made just 34.8 percent (16 of 46) against a Tech defense that entered No. 6 in the nation in field-goal defense (36.3 percent allowed) and blocked seven.
Florida A&M also turned the ball over on 25 of 66 possessions, and Tech converted those miscues into 31 points. The Jackets are 8-0 all-time against the Rattlers.
The first half was especially ugly for the visitors in McCamish Pavilion.
The Rattlers missed their final eight shots before intermission, and paid a price for sloppy ball-handling as Georgia Tech converted 13 Florida A&M turnovers into 19 points before intermission. Other than reserve guard Kamron Reaves, who scored six points on 3-for-4 shooting, the rest of the Rattlers were just 3 for 17 in the half.
''We just got outplayed and outworked across the board,'' Florida A&M head coach Robert McCullum said moments after barking at his team in the locker room. ''Their size and length ... it just dominated.
''The first three possessions just set the tone. We missed two layups and a little jump hook in the paint. Once we missed those opportunities, we just lost confidence and it went the other way.''
Moore warmed up in the middle of the first half, when the forward scored 10 straight Tech points, including back-to-back 3-pointers to start the streak.
His last basket in that run, a 12-foot jumper, was the first of a 13-0 run that the Jackets used to close the half for a 23-point lead, and Tech head coach Josh Pastner wasn't surprised.
''I really believe Khalid is going to be a good player, and what it shows you is ... he wasn't even ranked as a top-200 kid,'' Pastner said. ''If you look at the recruiting publications, he was ranked as a midmajor player, but he's gotten better. He's got a chance to be really, really good.''
BIG PICTURE
Florida A&M: The Rattlers couldn't get the long ball going. They entered the game making 6.6 3-point shots, but didn't hit one Saturday until junior guard Justin Ravenel, a native of the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia, hit one with 13:23 left in the game for his only points. The Rattlers finished 2 of 11 from beyond the arc.
Georgia Tech: The Jackets were balanced, and junior center James Banks III turned in a solid game in his second start with six points, four rebounds, game highs of five assists and four blocks plus a steal.
BENCH BUMPS
Tech's reserves outscored A&M's reserves 36-17, but McCullum wasn't entirely unhappy after backup guard Bryce Moragne finished with seven points, four rebounds and four steals and backup Reaves added six points. Subs provided the Rattlers 10 of their 11 steals and five of their six assists.
''You try to find some positives,'' McCullum said. ''We had some guys come off the bench and fight. That was about it.''
Tech freshman reserve guard Michael Devoe, a highly-regarded recruit slowed by a big toe injury in the preseason, had eight points, four steals, three assists and two rebounds.
UP NEXT
Florida A&M: The Rattlers' next six games will also be on the road, beginning Dec. 17 at Utah.
Georgia Tech: The Jackets will be off for more than a week before playing host to Gardner-Webb on Dec. 17.
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1st Half
FAMU
Rattlers
13
GT
Yellow Jackets
36
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Florida A&M
19:48
D.J. Jones missed layup
19:46
Defensive rebound by Moses Wright
19:19
Shooting foul on D.J. Jones
19:19
James Banks III missed free throw
19:19
James Banks III missed 2nd of 2 free throws
19:19
Defensive rebound by D.J. Jones
18:50
Justin Ravenel missed jump shot
18:48
Defensive rebound by Moses Wright
18:20
Jose Alvarado missed jump shot
18:18
Offensive rebound by James Banks III
18:16
Shooting foul on Ifeanyi Umezurike
18:14
+1
James Banks III made 1st of 2 free throws
0-1
18:14
+1
James Banks III made 2nd of 2 free throws
0-2
17:53
Ifeanyi Umezurike missed layup
17:51
Defensive rebound by Brandon Alston
17:45
Moses Wright missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:43
Defensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
17:35
+2
Rod Melton made jump shot
2-2
17:07
+2
Brandon Alston made layup
2-4
16:55
Bad pass turnover on Rod Melton, stolen by Curtis Haywood II
16:51
+2
Moses Wright made layup, assist by Curtis Haywood II
2-6
16:21
Ifeanyi Umezurike missed jump shot
16:19
Defensive rebound by Jose Alvarado
16:04
Brandon Alston missed jump shot
16:02
Defensive rebound by M.J. Randolph
15:56
Shooting foul on Jose Alvarado
15:56
+1
M.J. Randolph made 1st of 2 free throws
3-6
15:56
M.J. Randolph missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:56
Defensive rebound by Curtis Haywood II
15:33
+2
Jose Alvarado made layup
3-8
15:08
Out of bounds turnover on Rod Melton
14:46
+2
Jose Alvarado made layup
3-10
14:35
Bad pass turnover on M.J. Randolph
14:10
Jose Alvarado missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:08
Defensive rebound by M.J. Randolph
13:40
+2
Kamron Reaves made layup
5-10
13:20
+2
Moses Wright made jump shot, assist by Abdoulaye Gueye
5-12
12:48
Bad pass turnover on Kamron Reaves, stolen by Brandon Alston
12:30
+2
Brandon Alston made layup
5-14
12:30
Shooting foul on D.J. Jones
12:30
+1
Brandon Alston made free throw
5-15
12:10
+2
Ifeanyi Umezurike made jump shot, assist by Kamron Reaves
7-15
11:42
Lost ball turnover on Brandon Alston, stolen by Richard Anderson
11:42
Personal foul on Brandon Alston
11:31
Justin Ravenel missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:29
Offensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
11:21
Ifeanyi Umezurike missed jump shot
11:19
Defensive rebound by Shembari Phillips
11:03
Personal foul on Bryce Moragne
10:59
Personal foul on Ifeanyi Umezurike
10:55
Abdoulaye Gueye missed jump shot
10:53
Defensive rebound by Bryce Moragne
10:45
+2
Kamron Reaves made jump shot, assist by Richard Anderson
9-15
10:30
Offensive foul on Shembari Phillips
10:30
Turnover on Shembari Phillips
10:18
Bad pass turnover on Kamron Reaves, stolen by Michael Devoe
10:13
Lost ball turnover on Michael Devoe, stolen by Richard Anderson
10:09
Bad pass turnover on Kamron Reaves, stolen by Khalid Moore
10:02
+3
Khalid Moore made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Devoe
9-18
9:32
Bad pass turnover on Bryce Moragne, stolen by Jose Alvarado
9:24
Personal foul on Richard Anderson
9:17
+3
Khalid Moore made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by James Banks III
9-21
8:55
Richard Anderson missed jump shot
8:53
Defensive rebound by Jose Alvarado
8:34
Bad pass turnover on Khalid Moore
8:29
+2
Kamron Reaves made jump shot, assist by Richard Anderson
11-21
8:09
+2
Khalid Moore made layup, assist by Michael Devoe
11-23
7:41
+2
Rod Melton made layup
13-23
7:15
Bad pass turnover on Shembari Phillips, stolen by Bryce Moragne
7:04
Personal foul on Jose Alvarado
6:44
Shot clock violation turnover on Florida A&M
6:27
+2
Khalid Moore made jump shot
13-25
6:05
Bad pass turnover on Kamron Reaves, stolen by Michael Devoe
5:59
+2
Michael Devoe made layup
13-27
5:34
D.J. Jones missed jump shot
5:32
Offensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
5:29
Justin Ravenel missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:29
Offensive rebound by Florida A&M
5:29
Personal foul on Abdoulaye Gueye
5:19
M.J. Randolph missed jump shot, blocked by James Banks III
5:17
Offensive rebound by Florida A&M
5:10
Personal foul on James Banks III
4:51
D.J. Jones missed jump shot
4:49
Defensive rebound by Khalid Moore
4:39
Brandon Alston missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:37
Defensive rebound by Florida A&M
4:20
Bryce Moragne missed layup, blocked by James Banks III
4:18
Defensive rebound by Khalid Moore
4:13
Shooting foul on Justin Ravenel
4:13
+1
Brandon Alston made 1st of 2 free throws
13-28
4:13
+1
Brandon Alston made 2nd of 2 free throws
13-29
3:43
Rod Melton missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:41
Defensive rebound by Michael Devoe
3:33
Michael Devoe missed layup
3:31
Defensive rebound by M.J. Randolph
3:18
Rod Melton missed jump shot
3:16
Defensive rebound by Curtis Haywood II
3:00
+2
Brandon Alston made layup
13-31
2:37
Bad pass turnover on Rod Melton, stolen by Brandon Alston
2:33
Personal foul on Justin Ravenel
2:33
Curtis Haywood II missed free throw
2:33
Defensive rebound by Florida A&M
2:04
Offensive goaltending turnover on Bryce Moragne
1:48
James Banks III missed jump shot
1:46
Defensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
1:30
Traveling violation turnover on Ifeanyi Umezurike
1:17
+2
Shembari Phillips made layup, assist by James Banks III
13-33
1:02
Kamron Reaves missed jump shot
1:00
Defensive rebound by Shembari Phillips
42.0
Evan Cole missed layup
40.0
Offensive rebound by James Banks III
34.0
+3
Michael Devoe made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by James Banks III
13-36
2.0
Shot clock violation turnover on Florida A&M
1.0
Bad pass turnover on Evan Cole, stolen by Bryce Moragne
2nd Half
FAMU
Rattlers
27
GT
Yellow Jackets
37
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:36
Lost ball turnover on Jose Alvarado, stolen by Justin Ravenel
19:28
Bad pass turnover on Justin Ravenel
19:13
+2
Curtis Haywood II made layup, assist by James Banks III
13-38
18:51
Shooting foul on Brandon Alston
18:51
+1
M.J. Randolph made 1st of 2 free throws
14-38
18:51
+1
M.J. Randolph made 2nd of 2 free throws
15-38
18:35
+2
Curtis Haywood II made layup
15-40
18:13
Justin Ravenel missed layup
18:11
Defensive rebound by Georgia Tech
17:54
+2
James Banks III made jump shot, assist by Brandon Alston
15-42
17:24
Rod Melton missed layup
17:22
Offensive rebound by Rod Melton
17:13
Lost ball turnover on Rod Melton, stolen by Moses Wright
17:13
Moses Wright missed dunk
17:11
Defensive rebound by D.J. Jones
17:03
Rod Melton missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:03
Defensive rebound by Georgia Tech
17:03
Curtis Haywood II missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:01
Offensive rebound by Moses Wright
16:59
Personal foul on D.J. Jones
16:56
Jose Alvarado missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:54
Defensive rebound by M.J. Randolph
16:47
Lost ball turnover on M.J. Randolph
16:44
Shooting foul on D.J. Jones
16:44
+1
Moses Wright made 1st of 2 free throws
15-43
16:44
Moses Wright missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:44
Offensive rebound by Curtis Haywood II
16:39
James Banks III missed jump shot
16:37
Defensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
16:18
Ifeanyi Umezurike missed layup, blocked by James Banks III
16:16
Defensive rebound by Brandon Alston
16:13
Personal foul on Kamron Reaves
16:09
Brandon Alston missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:07
Defensive rebound by Kamron Reaves
15:54
+2
Bryce Moragne made jump shot
17-43
15:36
Offensive foul on Moses Wright
15:36
Turnover on Moses Wright
15:10
Kamron Reaves missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:08
Defensive rebound by Moses Wright
14:47
+3
Brandon Alston made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Curtis Haywood II
17-46
14:13
Shooting foul on James Banks III
14:13
M.J. Randolph missed 1st of 2 free throws
14:13
M.J. Randolph missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:13
M.J. Randolph missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:13
Defensive rebound by Brandon Alston
14:04
Offensive foul on Moses Wright
14:04
Turnover on Moses Wright
13:49
Lost ball turnover on Bryce Moragne, stolen by Khalid Moore
13:42
+2
Brandon Alston made layup, assist by Jose Alvarado
17-48
13:42
Shooting foul on Kamron Reaves
13:42
+1
Brandon Alston made free throw
17-49
13:25
+3
Justin Ravenel made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kamron Reaves
20-49
13:03
Bad pass turnover on Jose Alvarado
12:53
Personal foul on Brandon Alston
12:39
M.J. Randolph missed layup, blocked by James Banks III
12:37
Defensive rebound by Shembari Phillips
12:19
Michael Devoe missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:17
Defensive rebound by Kamron Reaves
12:10
+2
M.J. Randolph made layup
22-49
11:55
+2
Khalid Moore made layup, assist by James Banks III
22-51
11:40
+3
Bryce Moragne made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by M.J. Randolph
25-51
11:23
Personal foul on Kamron Reaves
11:09
Shembari Phillips missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:07
Offensive rebound by Georgia Tech
11:07
Personal foul on Ifeanyi Umezurike
11:01
Lost ball turnover on Abdoulaye Gueye, stolen by Nasir Core
11:01
Jumpball received by Florida A&M
10:35
+2
Richard Anderson made jump shot
27-51
10:14
Bad pass turnover on Shembari Phillips, stolen by Nasir Core
10:06
Nasir Core missed layup, blocked by Abdoulaye Gueye
10:04
Offensive rebound by Nasir Core
9:51
+2
Nasir Core made layup
29-51
9:47
Bad pass turnover on Shembari Phillips, stolen by Kamron Reaves
9:41
Kamron Reaves missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:39
Defensive rebound by Shembari Phillips
9:38
Personal foul on Nasir Core
9:38
+1
Shembari Phillips made 1st of 2 free throws
29-52
9:38
Shembari Phillips missed 2nd of 2 free throws
9:38
Defensive rebound by Bryce Moragne
9:28
Lost ball turnover on Rod Melton, stolen by Michael Devoe
9:19
Bad pass turnover on Shembari Phillips
9:03
Bad pass turnover on Nasir Core, stolen by James Banks III
8:51
Personal foul on Ifeanyi Umezurike
8:51
+1
James Banks III made 1st of 2 free throws
29-53
8:51
+1
James Banks III made 2nd of 2 free throws
29-54
8:25
Shooting foul on Michael Devoe
8:25
+1
Rod Melton made 1st of 3 free throws
30-54
8:25
+1
Rod Melton made 2nd of 3 free throws
31-54
8:25
+1
Rod Melton made 3rd of 3 free throws
32-54
8:10
James Banks III missed jump shot
8:08
Defensive rebound by Bryce Moragne
7:44
Offensive foul on Richard Anderson
7:44
Turnover on Richard Anderson
7:32
Kristian Sjolund missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:30
Offensive rebound by James Banks III
7:24
Lost ball turnover on James Banks III, stolen by Bryce Moragne
7:19
Rod Melton missed layup, blocked by Khalid Moore
7:19
Offensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
7:12
Richard Anderson missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:10
Defensive rebound by Michael Devoe
7:06
Kristian Sjolund missed dunk
7:05
Offensive rebound by Khalid Moore
6:54
+2
Khalid Moore made layup
32-56
6:53
Nasir Core missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:52
Offensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
6:29
+2
Ifeanyi Umezurike made jump shot
34-56
6:29
Personal foul on Kristian Sjolund
6:29
Ifeanyi Umezurike missed free throw
6:24
Defensive rebound by James Banks III
6:24
+2
Michael Devoe made layup
34-58
6:24
Shooting foul on Rod Melton
6:24
+1
Michael Devoe made free throw
34-59
6:21
Rod Melton missed layup
6:19
Defensive rebound by Georgia Tech
6:10
Lost ball turnover on Kristian Sjolund, stolen by Bryce Moragne
5:42
+2
Rod Melton made jump shot
36-59
5:22
Michael Devoe missed layup, blocked by Ifeanyi Umezurike
5:20
Defensive rebound by Rod Melton
5:14
Traveling violation turnover on Nasir Core
4:55
Evan Cole missed layup
4:53
Defensive rebound by Ifeanyi Umezurike
4:44
Bad pass turnover on Richard Anderson, stolen by Michael Devoe
4:40
Personal foul on Nasir Core
4:40
+1
Evan Cole made 1st of 2 free throws
36-60
4:40
+1
Evan Cole made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-61
4:23
Richard Anderson missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:21
Defensive rebound by Kristian Sjolund
4:12
+3
Curtis Haywood II made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Devoe
36-64
4:02
Lost ball turnover on Rod Melton
3:48
Bad pass turnover on Kristian Sjolund
3:30
Traveling violation turnover on Ifeanyi Umezurike
3:09
Personal foul on M.J. Randolph
3:09
+1
Shembari Phillips made 1st of 2 free throws
36-65
3:09
+1
Shembari Phillips made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-66
2:38
Shot clock violation turnover on Florida A&M
2:25
Bad pass turnover on Shembari Phillips, stolen by Richard Anderson
2:11
Justin Ravenel missed jump shot, blocked by Evan Cole
2:09
Offensive rebound by Bryce Moragne
2:01
+2
Bryce Moragne made jump shot
38-66
1:33
+3
Kristian Sjolund made 3-pt. jump shot
38-69
1:21
Personal foul on Kristian Sjolund
1:21
Kamron Reaves missed free throw
1:21
Defensive rebound by Georgia Tech
1:00
Personal foul on Richard Anderson
1:00
+1
Evan Cole made 1st of 2 free throws
38-70
1:00
+1
Evan Cole made 2nd of 2 free throws
38-71
47.0
Richard Anderson missed jump shot
45.0
Defensive rebound by Abdoulaye Gueye
21.0
+2
Sylvester Ogbonda made jump shot
38-73
10.0
+2
Ifeanyi Umezurike made layup, assist by Richard Anderson