Bulldogs avoid another collapse in win over Razorbacks

Saturday’s matchup with Arkansas was playing out like others have for Georgia recently. Work up a nice lead, then see it disappear.

But after watching a 19-point second-half lead get wiped away, the Bulldogs used a late push to hold on for a 90-76 win over the Razorbacks.

Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 20 points, and Blue Cain added 18 for the Bulldogs, who led 55-36 early in the second half before Arkansas rallied.

Arkansas went on a 20-3 run over a roughly five-minute span to cut Georgia’s lead to 62-61. Arkansas tied the game at 68-all when Darius Acuff Jr., who led the Razorbacks with 20 points, made a 3-pointer with 6:43 remaining.

Georgia (15-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) responded with a 12-2 run to take an 80-70 lead. During that run, Georgia held Arkansas (13-5, 3-2) scoreless for almost four minutes.

While the Bulldogs made seven of their last nine shots from the field, the Razorbacks missed 11 of their final 12 field goal attempts.

Cain scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half. It was the 16th time he’s been in double figures in 18 games this season.

Somto Cyril only scored six points but had a career-high seven blocks to go with five rebounds for Georgia. With help from Cyril, Georgia scored 29 points off 17 Arkansas turnovers.

Kanon Catchings scored 15 points and added five assists.

Billy Richmond III and Malique Ewin had 12 points each for Arkansas.

Georgia’s rebounding woes continued as the Bulldogs were outrebounded 43-35, but Georgia’s defense held Arkansas to one of its lowest scoring totals of the season. Arkansas entered the game averaging 90.5 points per game and scored fewer than 80 points for the fifth time in 18 games this season.

Up next

Georgia: Plays at Missouri on Tuesday night.