Georgia’s Comeback Attempt Comes Up Short, Falls to Vanderbilt 85-82

Saturday, January 21

Athens, Ga.

1:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

13-6,3-3SEC

Vanderbilt

10-9,3-3SEC

Vanderbilt

Georgia

Georgia’s Comeback Attempt Comes Up Short, Falls to Vanderbilt 85-82

January 21, 2023 | Men's Basketball

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ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia men's basketball team came up just shy of a win during its comeback attempt against Vanderbilt, losing 85-82 before a sellout crowd of 10,523 inside Stegeman Coliseum Saturday afternoon.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim led all scorers, contributing a career-best 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the 3-point line, also tying his previous career high for threes. Senior Terry Roberts added 15 points, 6 rebounds and six assists, while center Braelen Bridges had 10 points and eight rebounds.

"A tough one, a tough one, but credit to Vanderbilt, Coach (Jerry) Stackhouse and staff, I thought they were terrific," said Georgia head coach Mike White following the game. "10-of-21 from the 3-point line gives you a chance on the road. … I thought our press and our pressure late were a factor giving us a chance to play down and transition, but the way they shot it from three, the way they executed, especially with a lead. And they have got some adversity they are dealing with, so it was a great performance by those guys. I am not going to sit here and tell you everything we did wrong. We played an SEC game against a good team; we didn't play well enough."

After jumping out to an early 8-5 lead thanks to a dunk from Frank Anslem, the Bulldogs fell behind and allowed Vanderbilt to take the lead. The Commodores would go on a 10-point run, which included two of their eight first-half 3-pointers, leading 15-8 with just under 14 minutes to play in the half.

Georgia would trail for most of the opening frame before a five-point swing put the Bulldogs down just two, 30-28. A dunk from Anslem and a trey from Abdur-Rahim put the Bulldogs within striking distance and it would take advantage. Abdur-Rahim and Mardrez McBride each cashed in a 3-pointer and tied the game at 36 with just over two minutes remaining. However, Vanderbilt would end the half on an 8-0 run, claiming a 44-36 lead heading into the halftime break.

The teams would open the second half trading baskets, with Georgia getting the lead down to three following a 4-point play from Abdur-Rahim. Yet once again, Vanderbilt ballooned its lead back to nine by the next media timeout. After again shrinking the deficit to three, a technical foul called on White sparked an 8-0 Commodore run and a game-high 12-point lead.

Georgia again went on a run, rattling off 11 unanswered over the next four minutes. Roberts made it a one-point game with 2:13 remaining, but Vanderbilt kept Georgia at bay with consistent free throw makes. With four seconds to go and down three, Abdur-Rahim was able to get off a shot, but it hit off the rim and sealed the Bulldogs' first home loss of the season.

Georgia will play its next game on the road, visiting No. 9 Tennessee this Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET inside Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. The contest will be the second time the Bulldogs have faced a ranked opponent this season and the first time playing one away from its home court.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @UGABasketball, and the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.