Georgia basketball races out to fast season start, 85-75 over Florida A&M

ATHENS — Georgia basketball is off and running, tipping off its season with an 85-75 victory over Florida A&M on Sunday at Stegeman Coliseum.

The Bulldogs (1-0) didn’t even know they would be playing the Rattlers (0-2) a week ago, dialing up the MEAC school last Tuesday up after Gardner-Webb canceled on account of COVID-19 issues.

One day later, Georgia’s previously scheduled season-opening game with Columbus State on Wednesday was canceled three hours before tip on account of the opponents’ COVID-19 issues.

Georgia junior Tye Fagan, senior newcomer Andrew Garcia, and sophomore Sahvir Wheeler made sure the wait was worth it before the socially-distanced capacity crowd of 1,638.

Fagan and Wheeler recorded double-doubles, Fagan with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Wheeler with 12 points and a career-high 12 assists. Garcia, a transfer from Stoey Brook, scored a game-high 22 points.

The Bulldogs, coming off a 16-16 season, feature eight newcomers this season and took time to settle in. Georgia held a slim 38-37 lead at the half over the Rattlers before adjusting.

It was fair to say that former Bulldog Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was missed.

“We came out in the first half, and we rushed a few shots and passed up a few good shots,” Fagan said. “Second half we tried to take better shots and be more efficient. I was just trying to get out and run, and Sahvir was able to find me.”