By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director fo Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech played pretty much dead-even with No. 22 Georgia for more than 30 minutes Saturday night in Eblen Center, both on the scoreboard and throughout the stat sheet.
It was the first few minutes that proved the difference as the visiting Bulldogs used a tenacious full-court press to force early Tech turnovers and build a double-digit lead at 15-5.
After that, things stayed static nearly all the way to the end when Georgia pulled away in the final four minutes for a 74-51 victory to keep the Bulldogs unbeaten at 7-0. The win also gave UGA head coach Andy Landers – a Tennessee Tech grad coaching against his alma mater – his milestone 850th win at the Athens school.
Tech had the margin down to nine points with 10 minutes to play, before Georgia closed on a 30-16 run to stretch the difference. After the Bulldogs opened the contest with a 10-0 lead, Tech pulled to within five points at 19-4 with 11:35 to play in the opening period. The Golden Eagles were within six twice in the half, including a 31-25 at the break.
Shacobia Barbee led Georgia with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, one of four Bulldogs to score in double digits. Merritt Hempe added 12 points and five boards, Krista Donald had 11 points and six rebounds, and Tiaria Griffin finished with 10.
Junior guard Samaria Howard was the stat leader for the Golden Eagles (1-4) with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Mariah Dean added 12 points and seven boards.
The biggest difference on the stat recap was found at the free throw line, where Georgia went 26-for-39 and Tech was 17-for-29. Georgia's edge in other areas was slim, much of it coming in the final three minutes.
The Bulldogs had a 38-32 edge on the boards, had 10 assists compared with eight by Tech, and shot 43.4 percent while Tech finished at 39 percent. Tech wound up with 24 turnovers while forcing 19. Both teams were 2-for-8 from long range.
The Golden Eagles are back on the bus next week to open a three-game road trip, beginning on Wednesday (Dec. 3) with a 5 p.m. CT tipoff at Southern Mississippi. After that, Tech plays at Clemson on Saturday (Dec. 6) and Georgia State the following week (Dec. 13) before the next home contest. That comes on Dec. 16 against South Alabama.
