Georgia basketball: Bulldogs lose late again, fall to No. 8 Kentucky in overtime
Georgia basketball fans could not have enjoyed a better start to the Bulldogs game against Kentucky on Tuesday night. They got to hear one final “You are looking live” from Brent Musburger, and the Bulldogs built an early lead. But like every other trip to Rupp Arena in the Mark Fox era, the outcome ended in a loss.
The Bulldogs led again in the final minute against No. 8 Kentucky. But the Wildcats hit a late shot to send the contest to overtime, and John Calipari’s squad dominated the final five minutes to win, 90-81.
Georgia goes to 13-9 overall and 4-5 in SEC play, while Kentucky moves to 18-4 and 8-1. The defeat is the third straight SEC loss for Georgia.
Georgia got off to a hot start. Yante Maten scored the first seven points of the game and Georgia jumped out to a 19-5 lead. However, a 13-0 edge in second-chance points in the first half and 10 Georgia turnovers allowed the Wildcats to tie the score at 29 by halftime.
Kentucky was without starting point guard De’Aaron Fox, who missed the game with an illness. Mychal Mulder and Sacha Killeya-Jones of Kentucky also didn’t play due to illness.
In the second half, Kentucky freshman Malik Monk got hot, as he knocked down five consecutive 3-point attempts to put the Wildcats in control. Monk finished with a game-high 37 points.
This Malik Monk kid is electrifying 💯
— Natrez Patrick (@NatrezPatrick_9) February 1, 2017
But Maten and J.J. Frazier did their best to keep the Bulldogs in it. Despite a poor shooting night, Frazier scored seven straight points for the Bulldogs to tie the score at 70 with 3:52 remaining. After a Kentucky free throw, the Bulldogs reclaimed the lead, thanks to a Jordan Harris 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining.
The teams traded free throws until Monk hit a jumper over the outstretched arms of a Georgia defender with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, Kentucky scored the first five points to go in front, 81-76. After Georgia pulled within one, Monk hit another 3-pointer. On the ensuing possession, Monk tossed a monster alley-oop to Bam Adebayo, whose slam gave the Wildcats an 87-81 lead.
The game also was the final broadcast for Musburger, who is retiring at the age of 77. Here is Musburger’s final pregame introduction:
"You are looking live."
One last time. pic.twitter.com/EliBClhyIE
— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) February 1, 2017
Player of the Game: J.J. Frazier
Maten got off to the hot start, but it Frazier who carried Georgia down the stretch. He scored seven straight Bulldog points, then assisted on the Harris 3-pointer and hit two clutch free throws in the final minute of regulation. He finished with 23 points and made 3-of-4 3-point attempts.
Maten finished with 22 points and Derek Ogbeide had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The 18 points are a career high for the sophomore, while the 13 rebounds tie his career best.
For Kentucky, Monk led the way, but Isaiah Briscoe just missed out on a triple-double. The Kentucky guard finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in 45 minutes.
Stat line of the game: Second-chance points
In the first half, the Wildcats led 13-0 in the second-chance points. Kentucky finished with a 24-3 edge in the statistic. Monk’s game-tying shot came on a second-chance opportunity. It was the difference in the game.
Turning point: Monk’s final 3-pointer
After an Ogbeide-and-1, Monk responded with another monster 3-pointer, his final one of the night. The basket put away the Bulldogs for good. It was his seventh made 3-pointer of the night and gave Kentucky an 85-81 edge. His 37 points came on 21 shots.
What’s next for Georgia basketball
Georgia gets another opportunity to pick up a victory over a ranked opponent as it takes on South Carolina on Saturday. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 19 in the country and beat Georgia, 67-61, in Athens earlier this season. South Carolina’s only SEC loss came against Kentucky.
Georgia basketball box score
