ATLANTA -- Rakeem Christmas scored 18 points and hit the go-ahead free throw with 12 seconds remaining to help Syracuse edge Georgia Tech 46-45 on Wednesday night.

Georgia Tech's Chris Bolden missed apt straightaway 3-point attempt with 2 seconds left and Quinton Stephens blew a putback opportunity under the basket as the buzzer sounded.

Going nearly the final 9 minutes without a field goal, Georgia Tech (9-5, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) took a second straight tough league loss following a double-overtime setback Saturday at then-No. 14 Notre Dame.

Charles Mitchell had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets, who missed their final 11 attempts from the field.

Christmas' two closing free throws gave Syracuse (11-4, 2-0) a second straight narrow road win following Saturday's 68-66 victory at Virginia Tech.

Michael Gbinije added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Orange, who were visiting Georgia Tech for the first time.

There were 14 lead changes in the game, and neither team led by more than four points.

The Jackets began the second half 1 for 13 from the field before Mitchell's three-point play gave them a 33-32 lead with 12:38 remaining.

Georgia Tech missed easy looks at the basket late in the game when Demarco Cox blew an open dunk attempt with 2 minutes remaining and Travis Jorgenson shot an air ball on a 3 attempt as the shot clock expired with 29 seconds remaining.

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TIP-INS

Chris McCullough began the game as Syracuse's third-leading scorer with a 10.1 average, but the freshman forward has gone seven straight games in single digits. Finishing with three points on 1 for 7 shooting, McCullough is just 8 for his last 32.

Georgia Tech was 1 for 11 on 3s before Marcus Georges-Hunt and Jorgenson both hit from beyond the arc on two of three possessions to put the Jackets up 41-37 with 8:38 remaining.

UP NEXT

Syracuse: Hosts Florida State on Sunday.

Georgia Tech: Visits Wake Forest on Saturday.