You win some, you lose some, and then sometimes you give some away. That is precisely what Georgia basketball did Wednesday night in a 68-65 loss in Fayetteville, AR against a hungry and motivated Arkansas Razorback team that was still looking for its first SEC win of the season.
For Mike White and his Bulldogs, when you are viewed as a bubble team, you simply cannot afford to be charitable with games. Anytime naysayers declare that perhaps you are not as good as your record would indicate, you do not hand them validation on a silver platter. Make no mistake, this was a really bad loss.
Georgia basketball blows big lead
With a commanding 12-point lead at halftime, Georgia (14-5, 2-4 SEC) held a lead for over 35 minutes of the game and led by as many as 15 points at one point in the second half. The Bulldogs were well-positioned to earn their first SEC road victory of the season, but Arkansas (12-7, 1-5 SEC) had other plans.
Arkansas was lead by Adou Thiero, who was 5-8 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line for 17 points and 11 rebounds. Georgia's leading scorer once again was freshman dynamo Asa Newell, who had 18 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with one second left in regulation.
Georgia did hold Arkansas to 18/58 (31%) shooting from the field, including 3/23 (13%) from the three. However, Arkansas was 29/34 (85%) from the free throw line.
Georgia has now dropped three games in a row, falling to 14-5, but even worse they fall to 2-4 in SEC play.
Arkansas dominated the glass, beating the Bulldogs in that battle 40-30. 18 of Arkansas' 40 rebounds were on the offensive side of the court, which accounted for 30 second-chance points for the Razorbacks.
Georgia did have a chance to win this game out of a timeout, with the ball in their position, game tied at 63 points apiece, and 53 seconds left in regulation. However, Georgia guard Silas Demery Jr. turned the ball over that would lead to Arkansas taking a 65-63 lead.
What's next for Georgia?
Georgia does not have much time to lick their wounds as they return to action on Saturday to take on the No. 5 Florida Gators in Gainesville. This game almost feels like a must win now that Georgia is on a three game losing streak, so hopefully the Bulldogs will be able to come away with a massive road victory this weekend.