Georgia defeats Kentucky to end slide

Any win over SEC ATHENS — powerhouse Kentucky can be noteworthy, and Georgia’s 75-68 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday checked several boxes for the Bulldogs.

First, the win snapped a three-game losing streak and a stretch of six losses in seven games that began on Jan. 17 at Kentucky.

Second, the win capped an electric afternoon inside Stegeman Coliseum, which included a halftime cere- mony recognizing the 40th anniversary of the 1983 Final Four team.

Georgia held a 55-54 lead with 7:22 remaining, and the outcome was decided on several key plays the rest of the way:

■ Braelen Bridges made one of two free throws and converted a three-point play on the next possession for a 59-54 Georgia lead with 5:23 remaining.

■ Chris Livingston’s dunk, and two free throws by Oscar Tshiebwe, pulled Kentucky within one, at 59-58.

■ Bridges followed with a left-handed floater in the lane, and Livingston missed as the shot clock expired on Kentucky’s next possession.

■ Jabri Abd r Rahim drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner, extending Geor- gia’s lead to 64-58 with 2:52 remaining.

■ A steal and layup by Terry Roberts pushed Geor- gia’s lead to 66-58.

■ Tshiebwe rebounded a missed 3-point attempt and scored in the lane, pulling

Kentucky within six at 66-60 with 1:20 remaining.

■ A potential turnover by Georgia’s Justin Hill with 1:12 left was overturned after review, allowing Georgia to maintain possession. Hill was fouled and hit two free throws for an eight-point lead.

■ Georgia rebounded a missed 3-point attempt by Kentucky; Hill was fouled and added two more free throws.

■ Kario Oquendo made two free throws. Jacob Toppin of Kentucky followed with a 3-pointer, and Jusaun Holt made two free throws.

■ After a missed 3 by Toppin, Roberts made one of two free throws for a 10-point lead with 35.7 seconds remaining.

After a three-point play in the final 20 seconds, Georgia ran out the clock for the much-needed win.

Returning after missing two games with a concussion, Roberts, Georgia’s top scorer this season, finished with nine points. Oquendo led all Bulldogs with 21 points.

Kentucky was without guards CJ Fredrick (rib) and former Bulldog Sahvir Wheeler (right ankle), who have 27 starts between them. Fredrick missed the game after making eight straight starts. Wheeler was out for the second consecutive game.

ALEX SLITZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS Georgia’s Braelen Bridges (right) and Kario Oquendo react to a clutch play in the first half Saturday against Kentucky in Athens. Bridges was key in the waning moments of the impressive win over the Wildcats.