University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
Belmont
Lady Bulldogs Still Undefeated after Beating Belmont 62-43
December 22, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Highlights of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs' victory over Belmont.
Dec. 22, 2014
ATHENS, Ga. --- The No. 14 Georgia Lady Bulldogs defeated Belmont 62-43 on Monday night in Stegeman Coliseum, giving them their 12th win of the season to remain undefeated. This ties Georgia's fifth-best start in program history.
Shacobia Barbee's led the team in scoring for the sixth time this season with 13 points and eight rebounds. Tiaria Griffin tallied 11 points for her eighth double-digit outing of the year.
After a slow start by both teams, the Lady Bulldogs developed a six-point lead shortly into the opening stanza. But the Bruins responded with three consecutive shots from 3-point range, two coming from Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield. Although Belmont held a 17-12 advantage with 8:39 to play in the first half, a defensive effort by Georgia kept the Bruins away from the net for more than four minutes. The Lady Bulldogs were able to close the scoring gap in the final minutes, trailing only 21-19 at the half.
Georgia opened the second half on a 10-2 run to regain the lead, one it would not lose for the remainder of the game. Belmont continued to fight, drawing within three points halfway through the period. But back-to-back scores from Marjorie Butler ignited a 13-0 scoring run for Georgia.
The Lady Bulldogs used consecutive steals from Barbee and Griffin to remain in control and outscore the Bruins 16-9 in the final five minutes of the game. Terryuana Godwin closed the scoring with a 3-pointer at the 13-second mark, sealing the Georgia win.
"I think it's a testament to the resolve of this basketball team," head coach Andy Landers said. "There have been a few games this year where we've gotten behind, and some of those games we haven't played particularly well offensively. But defensively, we stayed the course. We had to slow it down a little bit, be patient and then we did a really nice job of executing."
On the night, Georgia earned 21 points from beyond the 3-point line, shooting 40 percent to Belmont's 14 percent. The Lady Bulldogs also outrebounded the Bruins, grabbing 37 boards over their 33, and recorded 12 second-chance points to their four. Georgia converted 24 Belmont turnovers into 27 points, while the Bruins earned 16 points off 14 Bulldog miscues.
The Lady Bulldogs will hit the road next week to take on Seton Hall in New Jersey. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip on December 28. Georgia will open its Southeastern Conference schedule on January 2 at Mississippi State and will return home on January 4 to host Alabama.
Georgia Lady Bulldog Basketball
Post-Game Notes & Quotes
No. 14/17 Georgia vs. Belmont
Monday, December 22, 2014 • Stegeman Coliseum • Athens, Ga.
Notes
• Georgia improves to 4-0 all time versus Belmont, including a 2-0 mark in Athens.
• The Lady Bulldogs equaled their fifth-best start in program history, tying the 2012-13 and 1994-95 teams at 12-0. Georgia's best start ever was 16-0 in 2009-10.
• The Lady Bulldog basketball program is eight wins away from reaching their 900th victory in program history.
• Andy Landers is 13 victories away from his 950th win as a collegiate head coach.
• Shacobia Barbee is 213 points from 1,000 career points.
Lady Bulldogs In Double Digits
• Shacobia Barbee notched her ninth double-digit scoring output of the season and 37th of her career with 13 points.
• Tiaria Griffin reached her eighth double-digit scoring output of the season and 31st of her career with 11 points.
Georgia Head Coach Andy Landers
On today's game...
"I think it's a testament to the resolve of this basketball team. There have been a few games this year where we've gotten behind and some of those games we haven't played particularly well offensively. But defensively, we stayed the course. You wouldn't know how we were playing offensively if you were watching us play defense because the level at which we play it really doesn't change. There is no deviation there regardless of what's happening on the offensive end. When you're as good as we are defensively and you stay the course, sooner or later, you're going to make some shots and something good is going to happen. We found that to be true at (Georgia) Tech, at Ohio State and against TCU. And tonight, it was the entire second half that good things happened. We had to slow it down a little bit, be patient and then we did a really nice job of executing."
On Marjorie Butler...
"Shooting the basketball isn't really the focus for her. Yet, when she does shoot it and it doesn't go in, she's like everybody else. It's discouraging and it plays with your confidence a little bit. So, I was happy to see her knock that down because as you know, she's made some big shots all year long and there's another one."
On the offense...
"We're making plays on the offensive end, but we're destroying teams well on the defensive end. It's just so hard to get a good look. It was so hard at times tonight for them to get the ball down the floor. You know, when you get to half court, it's not like we go on recess. You have to work 10 seconds to get the ball to the half line and now you have to do something to get a shot and we haven't let any of that be easy for anyone."
Belmont Head Coach Cameron Newbauer
On today's game...
"They did what they do in the second half - offensive rebound. Their athleticism really showed through in the second half defensively. We had 24 turnovers in the game and they capitalized off that. I think they had 17 points off our turnovers...off our turnovers. We just collapsed in the second half. I mean 19 points in the first half and 43 in the second...it's going to get you every time. That's a tribute to them and just how hard they play defensively."
On what they learned from this game...
"We've got to get better. We've got to handle pressure. We've got to be stronger with the ball. We've got to play together and not panic...a lot of things."
