The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bulldogs fall short
Georgia can’t hold onto a 16-point, first-half lead, loses in double OT.
It started as a runaway for Georgia. Then it went to double overtime. Then it went away, felled by a poor final possession, and another lost opportunity.
On Tuesday night, Georgia lost at home to Arkansas 80-77, undone by an ability to get off a good shot at the end of the first or second overtime — and after being unable to hold onto another big lead.
It was the second consecutive loss for Georgia (12-7, 3-5 SEC), which continues to have ground to make up if it wants to get an NCAA Tournament bid.
Three days after blowing a big lead at Auburn, the Bulldogs
couldn’t hold onto a 16-point first-half lead over Arkansas (14-6, 4-4). The Bulldogs then had to rally in regulation, first after trailing by six, and then when they trailed by two with 28 seconds left.
Jordan Harris answered the call, making two free throws with 5.4 seconds left to tie the score. Strong defense by UGA prevented a good shot from Arkansas, and brought overtime.
Georgia survived the first overtime when Nicolas Claxton blocked an Arkansas shot in the final seconds.
But Georgia couldn’t contain Daryl Macon, who made three consecutive 3-point shots to give Arkansas a 78-76 lead. Yante Maten had a chance to tie the score at the line, but only made one.
The Bulldogs got it back, leading to a frenetic possession as the clock wound down. Georgia coach Mark Fox elected not to call timeout, and the ball went out of bounds, giving Arkansas the ball with 2.2 seconds left.
After two Arkansas free throws, Georgia could only manage a prayer shot by Maten that was well off-target.
Three who mattered
Maten: It was the ninth double-double of the season for Georgia’s senior leader.
Harris: The Georgia sophomore guard didn’t enter until 2.9 seconds were left in the first half, but made an impact on the second half. He provided a spark on offense and defense, with a couple of nice entry passes, and was part of several good defensive possessions down the stretch.
And he made the free throws to force overtime.
Claxton: The 6-foot-11 freshman was on the floor for the stretch run, and his length gave the Razorbacks problems on both ends. He stuffed a shot in the final seconds Georgia forward Derek Ogbeide (right) finished with five points and five rebounds. of the first overtime.
Turning point
Georgia was on the way to an easy victory when it led 29-13. Arkansas had missed nine consecutive shots. But then the press started getting to the Bulldogs, and the Razorbacks roared back with a 15-2 run. It was anybody’s game heading into the second half.
Observations
Point guards: After starting both Turtle Jackson and Teshaun Hightower the past two games, only Jackson started, and he played the vast majority of the minutes. The results were mixed at best: Jackson made four 3’s, but Georgia’s half-court offense remained stagnant after the opening flurry.
Hammonds struggling: Highly touted freshman Rayshaun Hammonds returned to the starting lineup after two games, but that didn’t spark his game. He was scoreless in 16 minutes, and was on the bench for the stretch run, including both overtimes.
Worth mentioning
Three of the past four Arkansas games at Stegeman Coliseum have gone to overtime.