Baton Rouge, LA – The Georgia Bulldogs lost 67-66 to the LSU Tigers Thursday night. With the one-point loss, the Bulldogs fell to 15-13 and 5-10 in the SEC. LSU improves to 15-13, 7-8 in the SEC.
Georgia took the first tip-off and converted with a basket by Russel Tchewa. LSU replied with a three-pointer from senior forward Derek Fountain in the first minute. The teams each scored two baskets before LSU embarked on a 7-0 run in less than a minute to lead 13-7. Georgia’s freshman guard Silas Demary Jr. hit a three-pointer, but LSU went on an 8-0 run to lead 23-10 with 13:06 remaining. During this run, Georgia went through a dry stretch in which they missed six consecutive field goals for about four minutes, which ended when senior center Frank Anselem-Ibe dunk with 12:53 left.
The Anselem-Ibe dunk not only ended the Dawgs’ dry spell but also kicked off a 9-0 run for UGA, which made it a four-point game (19-23) before the 10-minute mark. LSU bounced back with an 8-0 run, which lasted for four minutes, to go up 31-19 with 6:23 left. LSU worked to expand and hold this lead, which peaked at 15 with 30 seconds left. Freshman guard Blue Cain hit a layup assisted by Demary Jr. to beat the buzzer and send Georgia into the locker room down 27-40.
Opening the second half, Georgia once again collected the tip-off, and Tchewa opened up, going 2-2 on free throws. UGA was able to cut it to a six-point game within the first four minutes with a 9-2 run (LSU’s two points were from free throws). LSU scored their first field goal of the second half with 15:45 left and took an 11-point lead (47-36) with a three-point jumper from Tyrell Ward with 15:20 left. The Bulldogs made it a 5-point game (44-49) less than two minutes later with a pair of three-pointers and a layup. The teams traded baskets (the gap between the two would stay less than 10) until Georgia went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead since the first two minutes of the game, going up 58-57 with 5:38 left.
LSU soon regained the lead with a basket by senior guard Jordan Wright, but UGA scored another field goal to reclaim a one-point advantage. This cycle continued until senior forward Will Baker scored two free throws with 15 seconds left to tie the game and seize the lead. Georgia attempted a field shot but failed, and the LSU Tigers won 67-66 on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 39-27 in the second half, but they struggled to shoot overall. For the game, UGA shot 37.3% from the field, 25.9% from behind the arc, and 78.9% from the line. Georgia’s offensive performance was spearheaded by graduate student guard Noah Thomasson, who scored 16 points and made 6 of 13 field goal attempts. He is followed by senior guard Justin Hill, who scored 11 points, three of which were three-pointers.
Demary Jr. collected 4 of the Bulldogs’ 9 assists. In comparison, LSU shot well from the field, going 46.8% from field goal range and 50% from three-point range (the Tigers went 77.8% from the line). Wright led the Tigers with 17 total points; he shot 10 of 11 free throws and 3 of 7 field goals. Baker followed Wright into the double-digit range with 12 on the night (10 came from the first half). Senior guard Trae Hannibal led the Tigers with 8 assists.
Both teams collected more than 30 rebounds (UGA 34, LSU 31). Demary Jr. led the Dawgs with seven rebounds, while Tchewa followed closely with six. Freshman guard Mike Williams III led the Tigers’ defensive effort with eight rebounds. Turnovers and scores off turnovers made a significant difference. LSU had 16 total turnovers, but Georgia only scored 13 points off of them. UGA had 12 total turnovers, and LSU scored 16 points off them.
With yesterday’s loss, Georgia falls to 25-2 under head coach Mike White when keeping opponents to less than 70 points. Georgia’s second consecutive setback comes following a loss to Auburn, and the Bulldogs return home Saturday to face Texas A&M at 6 p.m. EST.
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