Second half road collapse burns No. 23 Georgia in loss at No. 6 Tennessee

Thompson-Boling Arena (Getty) KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 17: A general view of The Summitt prior to the game between Tennessee and Austin Peay at Thompson-Boling Arena on November 17, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

January 16, 2025 at 11:15 a.m. UTC

By Jack Leo, DawgNation

Georgia basketball hung with No. 6 Tennessee through 20 minutes before falling apart at a hostile Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday night.

The No. 23-ranked Bulldogs (14-3, 2-2 SEC) held a 26-25 halftime lead before the Volunteers (16-1, 3-1) exploded into the second half with a 26-4 scoring run to win 74-56.

The same Tennessee team that shot 27% from the field in the first half made 11 of its first 15 second half shots.

The SEC’s top two scoring defenses controlled the first half, leaving few quality shots.