ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia women's basketball team notched an 81-38 win over visiting Georgia Southern on Friday afternoon at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
The Bulldogs (8-4) remained unbeaten at home with the win, and also won its 22nd straight in the series, dating back to 1981. Georgia Southern fell to 5-6 overall in its final non-conference contest of the 2018-19 season.
Georgia outscored the Eagles 18-7 in the first quarter, but Georgia Southern played the Bulldogs to four points in the second quarter, trailing at the half 34-19. But a 16-1 run early in the third quarter put the game away for the Bulldogs.
Eagle of the Game
Alexis Brown returned to double figures with 10 points to lead Georgia Southern offensively, while also adding four assists, four blocks and three steals. The Sun Belt's leading scorer did most of her damage at the free throw line, hitting 6-of-9 from the charity stripe. Just 11 games into the season, Brown has already set new season highs for free throws made (53) and attempted (66).
Key moment
Hailey Dias Allen's bucket a minute into the third quarter made the score 36-21, but Georgia's Gabby Connally canned a three-pointer that sparked the 16-1 run over the next five minutes to build an unassailable 57-22 lead.
Stat of the Game
The Eagles shot just 20.4 percent from the floor (11-of-54), the lowest shooting percentage for Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt Conference era.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Kip Drown on the matchup vs. the Bulldogs"It's exactly what we thought were going to get. They're big, they're athletic, and they're very aggressive. I thought we did a lot of good things defensively in the first half. We put them on the line 17 times, but sometimes you put people on the line because you're not playing hard or reaching, but sometimes you put people on the line because it's flat out physical. Offensively, we just couldn't finish in the lane. I think we were two for 12 in the lane in the first half, the second half we just came out and turned the ball over quickly. Didn't get that same intensity. Learning experience with these guys getting ready for the Sun Belt. Defensively we are a lot different team than when we walked out of Kennesaw State. I'm pleased with the last three weeks where we're getting towards with our defense."
Next up
The Eagles break for the Christmas holidays and will return to action on Thursday, January 3rd, hosting Texas State in its Sun Belt Conference opener. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Hanner Fieldhouse.
