(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Duncan Powell scored a career-high 26 points and Georgia Tech took a big step toward a first-round bye in the ACC tournament with a 73-67 victory over host Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Georgia Tech (14-14, 8-9 ACC) won despite making only one field goal in the final 9:48 of the contest. The Yellow Jackets, who entered the contest last in the league in shooting 67.7 percent from the free-throw line, were 25 of 28.

Powell made 6 of 10 from 3-point range and 4 of 4 at the foul line. Lance Terry had 20 points for Georgia Tech and Naithan George had 16. Each played all 40 minutes for the Yellow Jackets, who had only eight scholarship players available. Baye Ndongo recorded a double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds, along with three blocks.

Pitt (16-12, 7-10) was led by Jaland Lowe with 25 points, and Ishmael Leggett contributed 20.

The teams entered the game as part of a three-way tie with Florida State for eighth in the ACC. The top nine teams get a first-round bye. The top four get byes into the quarterfinals.

After trailing for most of the game, Lowe drilled a three to knot the score at 67 with 1:15 left. Georgia Tech, however, closed the game with a 6-0 run that included two free throws by George, a driving basket by Terry and two more free throws by Ndongo to seal it.

Georgia Tech raced to an 11-6 lead in the first five minutes after a putback by George, but the Yellow Jackets also lost starter Ibrahim Souare after he landed awkwardly on his left leg and had to be assisted to the bench. Souare returned to start the second half with a large soft pad on his knee. He finished with no points in 11 minutes.

Georgia Tech led 20-8 on Terry's 3-pointer with 11:17 left in the first half. Terry scored 14 first-half points.

Pitt chipped away at the deficit, with Leggett driving to the basket and finishing with either hand. He had 12 points in the first half.

The Yellow Jackets closed strong with a three by Lance and two free throws by Powell to take a 35-30 advantage into halftime.

Georgia Tech outrebounded Pitt 37-27 in the game.

--Field Level Media