Led by a 23-point, 10 rebound performance by Yante Maten, Georgia traveled to Florida’s O’Connell Center Wednesday and defeated the Gators in overtime, 72-69, the Bulldogs’ first win in Gainesville since 2002.
Maten not only scored eight-straight points to give the Bulldogs a cushion in overtime, but was wide open for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 59 at the end of regulation.
"Yante's a winner," Georgia coach Mark Fox said, according to the Associated Press. "Most people just see him play; they don't know him as a kid. As a young man, he's a terrific person. He's been a great Georgia Bulldog and that was obviously a huge shot at the end and super happy for him."
Georgia was able to overcome an 11-point deficit by shooting in the second half even though the Gators shot 40.9 percent from the 3-point line. By contrast, the Bulldogs shot 42.1 from the field and 33.3 percent beyond the arc.
With the win, the Bulldogs (14-11, 5-8) snapped a three-game SEC losing skid and swept the Gators for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Georgia hosts No. 18 Tennessee on Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
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