University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
17-7,6-6SEC
South Carolina
23-1,11-1SEC
Georgia Falls To South Carolina, 72-54
February 13, 2022 | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 17-ranked Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball fell to South Carolina Sunday afternoon at Stegeman Coliseum, 72-54.
Georgia falls to 17-7 overall and 6-6 in the SEC. South Carolina improves to 23-1, 11-1.
Today's contest was billed as Georgia's "Divine 9 Game". Members of nine historically black fraternities and sororities were invited to the game, and during the first timeout of the first quarter, they were honored on the court.
"They're a really well-coached team [South Carolina], and they have really talented players," shared head coach Joni Taylor. "You can't make the mistakes we made to start the game. We turn it over at a high level. We had 13 turnovers at halftime which led to 25 points for them. That's how they want to score. They want to run in transition and try to get offensive rebounds. I thought we did a good job in the first half rebounding with them, but we turned it over too much, and we couldn't score."
The Lady Bulldogs traded buckets with the Gamecocks to open the game, and the Southeastern rivals were tied at six midway through the first quarter. After picking up two early fouls, Jenna Staiti exited the game. The Gamecocks went on a 23-4 run to finish out the first, and the Lady Bulldogs trailed by 19 heading into the second quarter.
Reigan Richardson knocked down a free throw to open the second, and the Georgia defense forced a turnover on the following possession. Sarah Ashlee Barker and Que Morrison found some rhythm late in the first half with a pair of field goals, and the Lady Bulldog offense settled in during an 10-0 run. The Gamecocks kept their offensive pace, and Georgia trailed 51-25 at the half.
Barker's jumper started third quarter play for the Lady Bulldogs who fought back to narrow the deficit from halftime. The Lady Bulldogs still trailed the Gamecocks, 61-40.
Georgia closed out the afternoon with 14 fourth quarter points. The Lady Bulldogs were led in scoring by Staiti with 15. South Carolina's Aliyah Boston led all players with 18.
Next up, Georgia hosts Missouri at home this Thursday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in Stegeman Coliseum. Coverage will be on SEC Network Plus.
