ATHENS – Georgia basketball dropped 13 points in the second half to get their first win over a qualifying opponent this season, taking 20th place in Missouri by 80-70.
It is the first time that the Bulldogs (13-8, 6-8 SEC) have come from behind at halftime to beat an SEC opponent, and have done so against a veteran Tigers team (13-6, 6-6) at Stegeman Coliseum Tuesday night.
Justin Kier scored 16 points out of 6 out of 7 shots to lead the five double-digit Bulldogs.
“We went out today and really attacked,” said Kier. “I am proud of this team.”
Toumani Camara had another 15-point clutch performance on 8 rebounds, including a center pivot and a free throw in an And One after KD Johnson missed the free-throw line with the game tied at 62-62 and 4:55 remaining.
“It was desperation,” said Camara. “We had lost two games and were hungry.
“This is how we should play every time, and there should be no doubt about it.”
Camara’s basket and free-throw gave the Bulldogs the advantage forever, as they sparked a 16-2 run.
Sahvir Wheeler (12 points, 6 assists) drained a 3-point basket on Georgia’s next trip to the ground to extend the UGA lead to 68-62 at the 4:19 mark and the Bulldogs were out and running.
Johnson scored all 10 of his points at the end of 9:21, including a shot in the basket that tied the game in 53-53, after the Tigers opened the second half in an 11-0 run to build a 13-point lead. spots.
Walk-on Jackson Etter was another key player, leaving the bench to score 9 points, but also, making 2 steals and 3 fouls in one night, UGA came to the bonus with more than 13 minutes remaining.
Andrew Garcia had 13 points, and the Bulldogs overcame Missouri by 24 when he was on the ground.
The Bulldogs hit 54.2 percent in the second half, including 5 of 6 in addition to the 3-point mark in the final 20 minutes.
Missouri opened the second half with an 11-0 run, gaining a 48-35 lead in Dru Smith’s basket.
The Bulldogs, however, responded with a 13-2 run to retreat to 50-48 on Jackson Etter’s 3-point mark at the 11:17 mark. Less than two minutes later, Johnson’s drive equalized.
Missouri held a 37 to 33 lead at halftime, after both teams struggled to shoot.
Tigers had 14 of 34 shots and 3-15 of three, while Bulldogs had 13-29 and 2-9, with the lead changing hands seven times.
Georgia returns to action at 3:30 pm Saturday in Florida. The Bulldogs lost to the Gators at home 92-84 on 23 January.
Florida lost in Arkansas on Tuesday night, 75-64.
