Titans exact revenge on Jets

February 5, 2009 (WALB) - The Albany Tech Titans — beaten by 14 points less than a month ago by the South Georgia Tech Jets — exact revenge on their neighboring rivals Wednesday, 75-69.

Wednesday night’s setting was not the only difference in Albany Tech’s second meeting against South Georgia Tech, the first of which was played in neighboring Americus.

After losing, 94-77, last month on the road, the Titans were at home this time, playing in Albany State’s HPER Gymnasium. There was also one more thing Albany Tech coach Sylvester Patterson had to add in his pregame speech: Don’t forget that the Jets are ranked 25th in the NJCAA.

“That just motivated them,” Patterson said. “They just wanted to take them down.”

And the Titans did just that Wednesday, leading by as many as 10 points before winning, 75-69.

Albany Tech’s record against ranked teams improved to 2-0 after defeating then-No. 21 Coastal Georgia, 90-85, earlier this season. Overall, the Titans are 16-8 and 4-4 in NJCAA Region XVII.

Truett O’Neal scored 17 points to lead the way, while four other Titans also scored in double figures.

“Truett felt he had one of his worst games ever Saturday against Georgia Perimeter (a 57-53 loss), and he wanted to redeem himself,” Patterson said.

Ex-Monroe star Dejuan Shannon scored 14 points for Albany Tech, and he was followed by Marcus Jackson and Channing Hudson with 12 each. Demarcus Blunt added 10.

“It was totally a different game,” Patterson said. “We went inside and got into the bonus early and the guys made their free throws down the stretch.”

Shannon made three foul shots to give the Titans some breathing room after Albany Tech clung to a 69-65 lead. He then stole a pass and made a layup with 55 seconds left as Blunt followed by sinking a free throw a short time later to seal the win.

Markell Smith, who led South Georgia Tech in the first game with 18 points, once again led the Jets on Wednesday with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Tyson Randolph also was in double figures with 14 points, followed by Antonio Bell with 11.


by, Scott Chancey