University of Georgia Athletics
Dog Notes: Win Not Pretty, But Meaningful
January 21, 2016 | Women's Basketball
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By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
There will come a day -- soon, first-year coach Joni Taylor hopes -- when beating a top-10 team is once again routine for the Georgia women's basketball team.
"That's the standard; it used to not be a big deal and we've got to get back to that," Taylor said following the Lady Dogs' 47-43 victory over No. 10 Mississippi State on Thursday night at Stegeman Coliseum. "But that's the process and that's definitely the direction we need to go; you know, act like you are supposed to win that game."
It was the first top-10 win of the Taylor era and the third win over a ranked team this season for the Lady Bulldogs (14-5, 2-4 SEC). And it sure wasn't pretty for long stretches, especially in a first half that ended with Georgia leading State 17-14 -- a fine score for a game at Sanford Stadium but not a sign of great offense on the hardwood.
Georgia was 7-for-25 from the field in the first half, while State (17-3,4-2) was 6-for-23. Georgia had nine turnovers to State's 10, and both teams endured their share of lengthy scoring droughts. But in the end, Georgia held State 35.6 points below its scoring average.
"It feels really good," said Shacobia Barbee, who led Georgia with her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. "That's what we've been keying on lately is defense because we've been sleeping a little bit on defense and we just need to get back to what we know how to do. And disrupt the other team, and I think we did that tonight."
Both teams shot better in the second half, but State, which came in shooting 41.7 percent from the field for the season, finished 17 of 50 (34.0 percent).
Georgia's offensive struggles have been persistent of late. After scoring nine points in the first quarter and eight in the second, the Lady Dogs had posted under 10 points in six of their past 18 quarters. The rest of the game wasn't exactly Golden State Warriors-like, but Georgia did score 15 in the third and the fourth -- enough for a meaningful win after a stretch of losing three of its last four games.
The Lady Dogs got behind 7-0 and didn't score until forward Merritt Hempe scored inside with 3:56 left in the opening quarter. They ended up shooting 35.8 percent from the field and 5-for-10 at the free-throw line. Georgia was just 2 of 7 at the line in the fourth quarter, which allowed State to hang tight and make the final minute very dramatic.
"For our team and for Joni, but especially where we are right now in the SEC, we've got a couple of losses and that's not good, but this win is going to help us in the long run," said Hempe (nine points, three assists and three rebounds).
Is there something satisfying about knocking off a team ranked No. 10 on a night when you're not playing your best, instead of doing so on a night when everything is rolling?
"I don't know, I think I'd rather click at all times," Hempe said with a laugh.
Inbounds Execution
One area where Georgia did click Thursday was on its inbounds plays. Georgia early on under its own basket threw some short lob passes toward the paint to Caliya Robinson, who was able to turn them into points. Later, and much more dramatically, Robinson was on the other end of the inbounds pass.
In the third quarter, with Georgia leading 25-19 and inbounding the ball under the State basket following an offensive foul, Robinson showed off her arm. State was pressing and Georgia beat it the best way possible, with a long throw to an open receiver.
Robinson's three-quarter court heave to Barbee resulted in a layup and a foul. The free throw by Barbee made it 28-19.
In the fourth quarter, following a State basket, the Maroon Dogs pressed again. And again Robinson fired a perfect pass to Barbee, who again scored and drew a foul -- but this time she missed. Still, the play worked and Georgia led 40-33 with 6:42 remaining.
"We might have to talk to the football coach and get her out there as quarterback," Barbee said.
"Everything felt great tonight," said Robinson, who was the Georgia offense in the first quarter with seven points. She finished with nine, as well as six rebounds and three steals.
Taylor said Georgia had those plays in its back pocket for when it needed them against a team that pressed a lot. The Lady Dogs burned State with them twice and going forward that will affect how teams press Georgia. Odds are, teams might be hesitant to put all five players in the backcourt, knowing that Barbee can be a deep threat receiver and Robinson has the arm to get her the ball.
Trouble Inside
Life in the paint wasn't easy for Robinson or Hempe, who had to contend with a some significant State size. The 6-foot-5 junior, Chine Okorie, started for State and off the bench came the 6-7 Teaira McCowan, who is all of 6-7 and muscular, athletic one at that.
The duo didn't do much offensively, combining for six points, but they were disruptive. McCowan blocked five shots, altered many others, and also grabbed seven rebounds.
"You can't pump-fake and make it ... I don't even know," Robinson of going up against the big Maroon Dogs. "Either way it seemed like they were always just right there. You've just got to lob it up, I guess."
What's Next?
Georgia is back in action at Stegeman on Sunday against LSU (7-12, 1-5), which lost at home to Arkansas on Thursday, 48-44.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
