Bulldogs beat Auburn on home court 65-55

“I didn’t think that we practiced very well yesterday, and I thought some guys played like they practiced,” said Georgia coach Mark Fox. “That’s taking nothing away from Auburn because I thought with the circumstances, they did a great job. But it’s good to get a double-figure win, even when you don’t play as well as you hoped to play.”

Cinmeon Bowers had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Auburn (9-13, 3-7 SEC). Tyler Harris had 12 points.

Canty, a junior point guard, is averaging 18.3 points per game. He also leads the Tigers with 69 3-pointers, the most in the SEC, and 111 assists.

The suspension was announced shortly before the game. Pearl said the decision to suspend Canty was made earlier in the week. Canty was not with the team.

“Kareem’s effort and his attitude and his frustration level over our team’s lack of success have caused him to behave in a way that’s unacceptable,” Pearl said after the game. “And, just like a parent, when they misbehave, you’ve got to punish them.”

Pearl said Canty will not practice with the team “right now.”

“Our team, this team has got to figure out how to play together,” Pearl said, adding Canty will “work on other aspects to get back.”

Pearl didn’t elaborate on how Canty can earn his return to the team.

Auburn shot a season-low 25.9 percent from the field.

Canty’s exit put more pressure on freshman guard Bryce Brown, who had 18 points in a loss to Louisiana State on Tuesday. Brown had nine points as he was in foul trouble most of the game.

Georgia led 31-22 at halftime. Horace Spencer scored on a hook shot to open the second half and Auburn then missed its next 18 shots from the field. Brown ended the slump by sinking a 3-pointer with 8:56 remaining. It was Brown’s first field goal after eight misses.

Fox began pulling his starters with about five minutes remaining.

Tip-ins

Auburn: Pearl fell to 11-5 against Georgia, including a 10-2 mark at Tennessee. ... Canty had been held under 15 points in three of the last four games before the suspension. ... Spencer fouled out with 7:35 remaining.

Georgia: Maten blocked three shots in the first three minutes of the second half — all on shots by Bowers. ... Mann moved into the top 20 of Georgia’s career all-time scorers, passing No. 20 Bob Healey and No. 19 Eric Marbury.

Ovation For Gales

Devon Gales, the Southern wide receiver who suffered a paralyzing neck injury during a September football game at Georgia, was given a standing ovation when his attendance was announced. Gales became a Georgia fan after being embraced by the team and fans and as he has gone through treatment and rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

Making A Big Point

Pearl played the burly Bowers (6-7, 250) at point guard.

“It limits our playbook because he probably knows about 20 percent of what we can do,” Pearl said.