Georges-Hunt scores 16, Georgia Tech beats Rhode Island in Orlando Classic

Rhode Island guard Biggie Minnis tries to pass against Georgia Tech guard Travis Jorgenson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

Rhode Island head coach Don Hurley watches the action during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Tech in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Marcus Georges-Hunt scored 16 points and Georgia Tech beat Rhode Island 64-61 Sunday night in the fifth-place game at the Orlando Classic.

The victory was Georgia Tech's 1,300th. The Yellow Jackets, in their 100th season, are 1,300-1,158.

Georgia Tech (5-1) also got 11 points from Demarco Cox.

"We did a lot of good things," Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory said. "I thought we grew up a little bit in this tournament."

E.C. Matthews had 17 points for Rhode Island (4-2) and finished with 56 in the Rams' three games. His 3-pointer cut the Rams deficit to 63-61 with 2.6 seconds to go.

"It's a young team," Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley said. "There's going to be a lot of ups and downs. A lot of growing pains with this group."

After Georgia Tech's Robert Sampson made one of two free throws, Matthews' half-court 3-point try hit the front of the rim.

Georges-Hunt got his first four points of the second half, on two free throws and basket, as Georgia Tech went ahead 52-45 with 5 minutes remaining.

Quinton Stephens' 4-point play gave Georgia Tech a 45-37 advantage with 8 minutes to go.

Consecutive 3-point plays by Jarelle Reischel and Jared Terrell got Rhode Island within 39-35 midway through the second half.

Georges-Hunt had 12 points to help Georgia Tech go up 29-18 at the half. Hunt had a 3 and slam during the Yellow Jackets half-ending 14-0 run.

After Georgia Tech got the first three points of the second half on Travis Jorgenson's long-range jumper, Hassan Martin had two baskets during Rhode Island's 6-0 run that cut the Rams deficit to 32-24.

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TIP-INS

Rhode Island: The Rams went 1-2 at the classic. ... Martin and Jared Terrell had 10 points apiece.

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets are 5-1 for the first time since the 2009-10 season. ... Georgia Tech went 2-1 for the fifth time in its last eight Thanksgiving events.

"We'll take 2-1," Gregory said. "We would have liked to have been playing earlier today (in the championship game), but we've got a tough stretch ahead."

UP NEXT

Rhode Island plays Saturday night at Southern Miss.

Georgia Tech is at Northwestern Wednesday night.