Oakland Golden Grizzlies vs Georgia Bulldogs Match Player Stats On Dec 18, 2018

The past two games have been quite frustrating for Georgia coach Tom Crean.

On Saturday, his Bulldogs blew an 18-point lead before falling to then-No. 20 Arizona State, and Tuesday night against Oakland, the Bulldogs found themselves in danger of enduring a similar fate.

This time, however, Georgia didn't fold, making sure an early 17-point advantage stood up in an 81-69 win over Golden Grizzlies in Athens, Ga.

Early in the second half, Georgia's big lead almost disappeared after a trio of 3-pointers by Tray Maddox, Jaevin Cumberland and Braden Norris brought the Golden Grizzlies within 51-48.

Oakland (4-8) also climbed within 66-64 with 4:56 to play on a layup by Xavier Hill-Mais.

However, that would be as close the Oakland would get. The Bulldogs responded with a 10-0 run, highlighted by four points from Nicolas Claxton and a 3-pointer by Teshaun Hightower that put Georgia up 76-64 with 2:02 to play.

Four players finished in double figures for the Bulldogs (6-4), led by Claxton and Rayshaun Hammonds with 17 points each. Hightower had 16, and Turtle Jackson scored 14.

Oakland was led by Hill-Mais with 21 points, followed by Cumberland with 14, Norris with 13 and Maddox with 12.

For the second time in as many games, the Bulldogs put together a solid first half in jumping out to 45-34 lead.

It was Jackson who had the hot hand.

The senior from Athens came into play converting a mere 7 of 20 3-point attempts, but against the Golden Grizzlies, he hit four on his first five tries. His 12 points would lead the Bulldogs' first-half effort.

However, despite Jackson's heroics, Oakland was able to hang around.

Trailing 37-20 with 6:39 left in the half, the Golden Grizzlies went on a 9-2 run to close within 39-29 on a layup by Maddox with 2:30 left in the half.

The Bulldogs would answer with a 6-0 spurt to go up 45-29 before Oakland tallied the final five points of the half to go into the locker room down 11.

--Field Level Media