Photo courtesy Fighting Irish Media

(Atlanta) — Notre Dame football starts 2025 against a team from Georgia. The Irish hope THAT game goes better than the way 2024 ended for the basketball squad.

Georgia Tech jumped to a 19-point first half lead and held off a furious Irish rally to beat Notre Dame, 86-75, Tuesday at McCamish Pavilion.

The Yellow Jackets completely dominated the first half, shooting 61% from the floor, while holding Notre Dame to a mere 28%, including a scoreless half from Notre Dame’s leading scorer, Braeden Shrewsberry.

The Irish started to click though, in the second half, behind the play of Tae Davis, who tied a career-high with 27 points. When Matt Allocco scored two of his 15  on a jumper in the paint, Notre Dame was within three at 69-66.

Tech answered with a 10-2 run, with most of the offense supplied Lance Terry, who scored six of his 14 in the spurt. The Yellow Jackets also received big games off the bench from Javian McCollum and Duncan Powell, who each scored 21 off the pine.

For Tech (7-7 overall, 1-2 in ACC), the win is their first against a team from a major conference this season.

Notre Dame sees its three-game win streak snapped as the Irish fall to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in ACC play. The Irish return home Saturday at noon to a sold out Purcell Pavilion to face North Carolina.