Today’s assignment was a simple one for the Georgia Bulldogs: win or stay home. The Fox Hounds came into Thursday’s game knowing they could not secure an NCAA Tournament invitation, but they could lose one. The Auburn Tigers, who took Georgia to overtime in Athens, came into Atlanta feeling confident, but the Red and Black put the Plainsmen’s upset hopes to rest with a convincing 69-51 victory.
The Bulldogs opened the game on an 11-4 run and never trailed, taking a 34-23 lead to the locker room before opening up the game with a 35-28 outpouring after intermission. Georgia dominated Auburn on the glass, out-rebounding the Tigers at a 36-20 clip, and the Athenians also held a 32-26 edge in points in the paint.
The Red and Black out-shot the Orange and Blue from every spot on the floor, sinking over 40 per cent of the Hoop Dogs’ field goal attempts (21 of 50), 25 per cent of their tries from beyond the arc (5 of 20), and over 70 per cent of their free throws (22 of 31). Trey Thompkins led the way with 12 boards and 22 points.
Now the madness is upon us in earnest, so you may devote the remainder of your day to rooting for other teams’ games to go our way, bearing in mind all the while that the game that matters tips off tomorrow at the same time in the same place on the same channel. Here’s hoping we get the same result.
Go ‘Dawgs!