What a tale of two halves. For the first 13 minutes of the game, it looked like Georgia basketball was going to be in for a long night. The upset-minded LSU Tigers came out loose and ready to compete. But in the end they were no match for the Bulldogs, who trounced the Tigers 81-62 in front of a raucous crowd at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, GA.
Behind the efforts of one of their better defensive performances of the season, Georgia (16-7, 4-6 SEC) withstood LSU's early 3-point onslaught, and were able to take a six-point lead into halftime. Georgia would go on to dominate the Tigers for the rest of the evening.
LSU (12-10, 1-8 SEC), losers of 5-games in a row, came into tonight's contest ranked dead last in the SEC in 3-point percentage (30.6%), averaging 7.5 threes per game. 13 minutes into tonight's game, LSU had already made 9 of 15 three-pointers (60%) and was looking to hand Georgia its 6th loss in seven games. But as the old saying goes, you live by the sword, you die by the sword. After a sizzling start, LSU would finish the game 12/33 (36.4%) from 3-point range.
Freshman sensation Asa Newell did not disappoint the home crowd, once again leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 17 points and 4 rebounds. But the star of the evening was sophomore guard Blue Cain, who finished tonight's contest with a near triple-double after scoring 10 points, pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
LSU was led in scoring by senior guard Jordan Sears who had a team-high 11 points. Daimion Collins and Cam Carter each added 10 points for the Tigers.
This and That
Georgia is now 14-0 this season when scoring at least 70 points.
LSU's first nine field goals of the game came from 3-point range. The Tigers did not score their first 2-point field goal until two minutes left in the first half.
Georgia lost the turnover battle by committing 13 turnovers to LSU's 12.
Georgia out-rebounded LSU 47-26.
Biggest lead of the night: UGA (20 points)
What's next for Georgia?
Mike White and Georgia improve to an amazing 13-1 at home this season. They hope to keep the good times going as they take on No. 22 Mississippi State in Athens on Saturday.