Georgia Tech 54, Rice 36: Freshman Marcus Georges-Hunt collected 11 points and nine rebounds as the Yellow Jackets used a strong defensive effort to cruise past the Owls in the first round of the DIRECTV Classic in Anaheim, California.

Mfon Udofia added nine points and Brandon Reed recorded seven points and seven rebounds for Georgia Tech (3-0), which will face the winner of Drake vs. California in the second round on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets held Rice to 22.9 percent shooting and dominated the glass, 50-23.

Georgia Tech trailed 19-15 with 6:19 left in the first half but did not allow the Owls (1-3) to score the rest of the period and took a 27-19 lead into the break. Georges-Hunt book ended a 13-3 run beginning the second half and Reed scored five points during the burst as the Yellow Jackets pushed the lead to 40-22 and coasted the rest of the way.

Austin Ramljak scored all 18 of his points from beyond the arc, going 6-of-12 from 3-point range, and was the only player to reach double figures for Rice.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Owls leading scorer Tamir Jackson was held to nine points on 2-of-11 shooting. … Rice will play the loser of Drake vs. California on the other side of the bracket. … Georgia Tech struggled from long range, going 3-for-18 from beyond the arc.