Bama rallies, beats Bulldogs: Lady Dogs play tonight

The Bulldogs (14-7, 4-4 SEC) were led in scoring by both RJ Melendez and Noah Thomasson who each had 15 points. Melendez earned his third career double-double after contributing 10 rebounds and three steals. Russel Tchewa came one rebound shy of his fourth double-double of the season, posting 10 points and nine boards, while Silas Demary Jr. also reached 10 points. Georgia outrebounded Alabama (15-6, 7-1 SEC) by a 39-26 margin, marking its largest positive differential this season.

Georgia opened the game on a 17-2 run over the first eight minutes, capped off by 3-pointers on consecutive possessions by Melendez and Blue Cain, forcing an Alabama timeout. The Bulldogs held the Crimson Tide, the nation’s top-ranked scoring offense, to just 3-of-13 from the field over the first 10 minutes of the game. Georgia led 41-27 at the half, holding Alabama to its lowest point total in any half this season. Despite six turnovers to start the second frame, the Bulldogs maintained a double-digit lead at the under-12 media timeout. The Crimson Tide tied the game with just over five and a half minutes to go after back-to-back 3-pointers while holding Georgia without a field goal for over five minutes. Alabama took its first lead of the night with just over four minutes remaining off another long ball, 69-66. They went on to fend off Georgia’s comeback bid, handing the Bulldogs just their second home loss this season.

Georgia’s next contest will come on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. ET against South Carolina inside Stegeman Coliseum. The game, which will be televised on the SEC Network, will mark the second meeting between the teams this season. The Bulldogs previously topped the Gamecocks on Jan. 16 in Columbia by a 74-69 margin.

Georgia welcomes the Tennessee Lady Vols on Thursday for a renewal of one of the greatest rivalries in Southeastern Conference basketball history. The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Vols tip off at 7 p.m. on the SEC Network.

» Thursday’s game marks Georgia’s Equality Night. Lady Bulldog student-athletes will wear special warm-up shirts to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month.

» Georgia and Tennessee have split the last eight meetings in the series, with each program taking four wins a piece. The Lady Bulldogs have won three of the last four against Tennessee in Athens.

» Georgia ranks fourth in the SEC in field goal percentage defense, holding teams to just 37.2 percent from the field.

» Fifth-year senior forward Javyn Nicholson ranks third in the SEC and 13th nationally with 11 double-doubles this year. Nicholson has scored in double figures in 19 of 20 games.

» While Nicholson is Georgia’s leader this season, a couple of guards have stepped up as of late. Asia Avinger is fifth among SEC players with 86 total assists and has scored in double figures in three of the last five games. Taniyah Thompson has drawn five-straight starts, scoring in double digits in four of those five contests. De’Mauri Flournoy has scored in double figures in three consecutive games.

» Georgia is in its second season under the leadership of Coach ABE. ABE’s successful first year included a NCAA tournament appearance, 22 wins, and a fifth-place finish in the final SEC standings.

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