The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bulldogs lose in final minute
Frazier’s season-high 36 points not enough; Maten injured early.
ATHENS — Once again, Georgia showed heart, perhaps more in this game than in any of recent memory. Especially J.J. Frazier.
But once again, it was not enough.
Georgia’s best player, Yante Maten, was hurt less than two minutes into the game and did not return. Georgia thus faced even longer odds against No. 13 Kentucky, and yet didn’t buckle. Frazier’s season-high 36 points kept Georgia in the game, and in fact ahead by two with 55 seconds left.
But Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox sank free throws, and Georgia had a couple of ill-advsed quick shots. It allowed Kentucky to escape with an 82-77 win, as the Bulldogs suffered yet another heartbreaker in a season full of them. That includes last month’s overtime loss at Kentucky, which Georgia led by two with 10 seconds left.
Player of the game: Frazier did all he could for Georgia. While he had been slow to start some games, he wasn’t this time — scoring Georgia’s first six points — and then kept it going. His long, contested 3-point shot at the halftime buzzer made it a two-point game. And as Kentucky tried to extend the lead, Frazier kept making big shots, whether it was on drives or pull-up jumpers.
Stat line of the game: Frazier scored 36 points in 35 minutes, going 11-for-22 from the floor and 12-for15 from the free-throw line.
Turning point: Georgia led by two with 55 seconds left when Frazier made a driving layup. It was the last thing to go right for Georgia in the critical final sequence: On the other end, Fox drove and was fouled by Derek Ogbeide — his fifth foul. Fox’s free throws tied the score. On the other end, Pape Diatta got the ball on the side and tried an ill-advised runner. It was blocked easily, and in the ensuing loose ball Edwards fouled Fox. He made both free throws, and Georgia trailed with 27 seconds left. Frazier drove and shot, but it was off.
Kentucky grabbed the rebound, and Fox was fouled again, and again made both free throws.
What’s next: First, Georgia (15-12, 6-8 SEC) awaits word on Maten’s status. The Bulldogs’ next game is Thursday at Alabama, which in Athens last month handed Georgia its worst loss of the season, by 20 points.