Gritty Georgia basketball grinds out 58-50 win over Mississippi State, remains unbeaten at home

ATHENS – Georgia basketball added one other gritty SEC upset win to its resume to remain excellent at residence this season.

The Bulldogs (12-4, 2-1 SEC), who entered as 2.5-point underdogs, wrestled a 58-50 victory away from Mississippi State in considered one of their greatest defensive performances of the season.

They’re now 10-0 at residence, making them the sixth crew in class historical past with a double digit win streak.

UGA rode a 12-5 run within the sport’s closing 2:39 to tug away in a contest with 14 lead modifications. The Bulldog protection capped a commanding efficiency within the closing stretch as State (12-4, 1-3) was 2-of-8 capturing from the sphere.

Scoring turned that rather more troublesome for the Maroon Bulldogs late within the sport as an electrical crowd of seven,741 at Stegeman Coliseum produced thunderous noise.

“I believed they have been a very large issue within the win, particularly defensively,” Georgia coach Mike White mentioned.

Georgia, which led 46-45 earlier than the run, scored the remainder of its factors from the free throw line. The Bulldogs have been excellent, sinking all 12 photographs to place Mississippi State to mattress.

“Just a little swagger on the foul line, it’s superior,” White mentioned. “It provides you probabilities in shut video games. Our guys proceed to step up there with confidence.”

Terry Roberts, who was held scoreless within the first half, exploded for a team-leading 16 factors with 3 rebounds and three assists.

Fellow guard Justin Hill delivered a number of clutch performs of his personal to assist Georgia preserve tempo. The Longwood switch nailed two 3-pointers and a layup to reclaim the lead three completely different occasions.

“He’s gaining confidence and he’s obtained to proceed to achieve it,” White mentioned. “He’s a great shooter … we’ve obtained to proceed to get these contributions off the bench.”

UGA’s defensive domination began with neutralizing Mississippi State main scorer Tulo Smith within the paint. The 6-11, 245 pound All-SEC preseason choice, who entered Athens averaging 14.2 factors and seven.8 rebounds, was restricted to five factors, 5 rebounds, and a couple of assists.

That was largely on account of a lockdown defensive efficiency from Braelen Bridges, who completed with 11 factors and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

It was a very memorable evening for the Atlanta native as he eclipsed 1,000 factors and 500 rebounds within the one hundredth sport of his profession. Bridges, who transferred from UIC in March of 2021, leads UGA in rebounds this season.

Georgia gained a slim 20-19 halftime benefit after a rocky first half for each offenses.

It was UGA’s second time permitting beneath 20 factors in a primary half this season. The Bulldogs restricted Saint Joseph’s to fifteen factors in a November match sport.

The Maroon Bulldogs have been compelled to make photographs from outdoors the paint and completed the half 7-of-32 capturing from the sphere.

Georgia was not significantly better, capturing 5 of 25. The Bulldogs additionally surrendered 10 turnovers within the first 20 minutes.

A pair of 3-pointers courtesy of Jusuan Holt and Roberts highlighted an 11-0 Georgia run from the 9:52 mark to three:34 remaining within the first half. Mississippi State shortly responded with eight unanswered factors of their very own.

UGA gained its slight edge from the free throw line, making 7 of its 12 photographs whereas Mississippi State shot simply 2 of 10.

Georgia will look to earn its first SEC street win of the season at 1 p.m. on Saturday on the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. The Rebels (8-8, 0-3 SEC) fell to Mississippi State 64-54 final Saturday.

The sport will present a second homecoming in as many weeks for White, who performed at Ole Miss. White, who coached Florida for six seasons earlier than leaving to educate Georgia, returned to Gainesville final Saturday in an 82-75 loss.

The Bulldogs earned their first SEC win of their convention opener with a surprising upset of No. 21-ranked Auburn.

“We talked within the postgame that it’s a step,” White mentioned. “A step for us is profitable a hard-fought, bodily, tough-nosed, gritty sport versus a crew that will get after you.

“The subsequent step is sooner or later, we’ve obtained to interrupt by means of on the street.”