Field Level Media
Feb 29, 2020
Georgia's penchant for blowing big leads has been a season-long issue for head coach Tom Crean. But Saturday against Arkansas, the Bulldogs' fortunes changed.
Twice in the final five minutes, the Razorbacks drew with one, but each time Georgia answered, ultimately holding on for a 99-89 win in a Southeastern Conference mathchup in Athens, Ga. The Bulldogs' victory put a crimp in Arkansas' postseason plans.
Anthony Edwards led the Bulldogs (15-14, 5-11) with 26 points, followed by Rayshaun Hammonds with 22.
Isaiah Joe led the Razorbacks (18-11, 6-10) with 26.
Down by eight at the half, Arkansas quickly cut the margin to three early in the second quarter.
After a three-pointer by Tyree Crump at the 10:25 mark pushed Georgia's lead back to 11 with 10 minutes to play, the Razorbacks once again climbed within three with 6:48 to go.
A dunk by Adrio Bailey whittled the lead to one, but Hammonds would answer for Georgia, converting a conventional three-point to play to go back up by four.
But Arkansas would not go away.
Twice, the Razorbacks would cut the lead back to one before Crump's fourth 3-pointer with 1:35 left pushed the margin to six forcing an Arkansas timeout.
The Bulldogs couldn't have envisioned having a better start.
Georgia made six of its first eight shots, jumping out to a 14-0 four minutes into the game before a 3-pointer by Jalen Harris put Arkansas on the board for the first time at the 15:52 mark.
Georgia would answer, building an 18-point lead at 36-18 with 8:24 to play in the first half.
But Arkansas started to chip away, putting together a 12-2 run to draw within seven before Hammonds -- who finished with 17 points in the first half -- drained his second 3-pointer to push the lead to 11. The Razorbacks pulled back within 47-39 at the half.
Georgia closes out the home portion of its schedule Wednesday against Florida.
Arkansas returns home Wednesday against LSU.
--Field Level Media