Georgia coach Tom Crean: Bulldogs ‘found a way’ in season-opening win

ATHENS — Georgia basketball coach Tom Crean considers the Bulldogs “fortunate” to come out of opening night with a 91-72 win over Western Carolina.

“There is lots of room where we can get better,” Crean said. “We have to strengthen our post defense. We have to get more depth there and stay out of foul trouble, but we found a way. That’s the best thing about a young team. We found a way.”

Freshman Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 24 points — the most by a UGA freshman in a season-opening game since Dominique Wilkins scored 26 in 1979 against Troy State.

But Edwards, who also had 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 4 turnovers, was just part of the story.

Freshman point guard Sahvir Wheeler scored 19 points and sped up the pace of the game.

“I try to bring an impact,” Wheeler said. “I’m going to bring a pace, and drive and make layups.”

Tye Fagan also had a nice night, scoring 6 points with a team-high 4 assists and no turnovers in his 18 minutes.

The Bulldogs, however, were just 8-of-26 from beyond the 3-point arc.

“We’re going to shoot the ball, we have another week, and we’ll get our shooting better,” Crean said. “It has to get better. We have to make open shots, and I think we will.”

Georgia returns to action at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at Stegeman Coliseum against The Citadel.

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