University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Outlast Hawaii, 67-59
December 23, 2007 | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. --- Sundiata Gaines scored 15 points and Georgia built an early lead that outlasted a late challenge by Hawaii, claiming seventh place at the Rainbow Classic with a 67-59 win over the Rainbow Warriors here Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-3), who led by 18 points at halftime, got their advantage as big as 43-22 just two minutes into the second half. Not until the final 30 seconds, however, did they secure the victory by connecting on five of six free throws.
Hawaii's first rally came just after Georgia had taken its 21-point lead. Matt Gibson stole possession from Terrance Woodbury and connected on a layup with 13:02 left to bring the Warriors within 45-34. The margin remained at 11 points until Georgia strung together a 3-pointer by Billy Humphrey and a 3-point play by Zac Swansey to restore the lead to 53-37 at the 10:26 mark of the second half.
The Warriors, however, climbed back into contention with a 12-2 run that covered the next seven minutes. Pivotal in the run were a 3-pointer by Bobby Nash with 6:22 left and, after a Swansey turnover, a layup by Jared Dillinger with 5:23 remaining.
The margin shrank to single digits at the 3:39 mark on foul shots by Gibson that trimmed the Georgia lead to 58-50. Dillinger connected again after a Georgia miss, getting the difference to six, before freshman Jeremy Price dunked to restore the lead to 60-52 with 55 seconds left.
The Bulldogs return to competition on Dec. 30 when they play host to Presbyterian at 4:00 p.m.
