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Georgia’s Comeback Falls Short at LSU
February 10, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Baton Rouge, La. - LSU held off a furious Georgia rally, defeating the Lady Bulldogs 73-67 Thursday night.
The 13th-ranked Tigers improve to 20-4 overall and 8-3 in Southeastern Conference play, while No. 14 Georgia falls to 17-6 and 6-5.
What was a once-sided affair for a majority of the game turned into a barn-burner before a raucous crowd of 6,943 fans at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Paced by the tremendous backcourt triumvirate of Khalya Pointer, Jailin Cherry and Alexis Morris, the Tigers grabbed control of the game early.
The Tigers led 23-11 at the end of the first quarter and 37-21 at halftime. LSU scored the final six points of the half on its final trip down the floor of the second period. That lead would grow to 48-28 for the Tigers in the third quarter, thanks in part to a seven point possession, aided by a technical foul.
Georgia coach Joni Taylor then turned to her reserves.
Fueled by freshman Reigan Richardson's career best 17 points, Georgia's bench ignited the comeback. Fellow freshman Tineya Hilton, who had played in just one game and hadn't scored since enrolling and becoming eligible in December, scored nine points. The Lady Dogs caught LSU at 62-62 in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers closed in strong fashion thanks to dominant rebounding and outstanding free throw shooting. LSU outrebounded Georgia 47-29, and hit 27 of 34 free throws, including 11 of 14 in the fourth quarter.
Morris was 13 of 14 from the foul line and scored a game high 26 points with six assists. Pointer had 21 points, and Cherry 18.
"There were a lot of good things that came out of this game tonight, particularly from some of our younger players," said Taylor. "But we have a lot to work on, a lot of areas where we have to improve."
Georgia hosts top-ranked South Carolina Sunday at noon at the Stegeman Coliseum in Athens.