Georgia's struggles continue with 64-58 loss to South Carolina

A furious comeback attempt comes up just short as Georgia drops its second straight game at home with a 64-58 loss to South Carolina.

Things couldn't have started any worse for the Bulldogs who found themselves in a deep hole from the outset. South Carolina used a 15-0 run to take a 19-4 lead. They led 24-6 with just over nine minutes remaining in the half and carried a 41-23 advantage into the intermission.

The Gamecocks got what ever they wanted in the first half as they connected on 58 percent of their field goal attempts including seven first half three-pointers.

The Bulldogs emerged from halftime with much more energy on the defensive end and that helped them to find a bit of a rhythm offensively. Georgia opened the second half with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 10 points. They continued to chip away and a pair of free throws by Yante Maten tied the game at 51-51 with 4:31 remaining.

South Carolina responded by scoring the next five points including a three-pointer by Tyrone Johnson that was set up by an offensive rebound Mindaugas Kacinas. The Bulldogs would threaten again in the final moments but three missed free throws in the last minute undermined their efforts.

Charles Mann picked up his play in the second half and finished with 17 points. Kenny Gaines added 11 while Cameron Forte and Marcus Thornton finished with eight. Thornton made just 1-5 shots from the field and grabbed just three rebounds.

Tyrone Johnson and Duane Notice led the way for South Carolina with 17 points each. Kacinas added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Georgia loses for the second straight time at home and for the fourth time in the last six games. They hit the road again on Saturday for a match up against Alabama.