Georgia ran with No. 5 Tennessee for much of the afternoon before faltering late in a 59-51 loss in Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs (17-4, 5-3 SEC), ranked No. 22, took a 45-44 lead with 6:24 remaining on a Pachis Roberts 3-pointer. But the Lady Vols (17-3, 7-0) dominated the late going, finishing with a 15-6 rush over the final 5:51 to seal it.
UGA freshman Mackenzie Engram led Georgia with 14 points while Krista Donald added 12. Jordan Reynolds led Tennessee with 15 points.
“Defensively, I thought we accomplished our objectives as much as a coach can reasonably expect and this was a difficult job,” Georgia coach Andy Landers said. “That’s a difficult proposition, to guard guys who can stretch you and beat you inside like Tennessee can. We defended very well. The only negative I take away from it is how many times they went to the line.”
Tennessee made 20-of-21 free throws while the Lady Bulldogs went to the line one seven times, converting three. Georgia was also pounded on the boards, outrebounded 45-29.
Georgia played the second half without leading scorer Shacobia Barbee, who injured her right leg driving to the basket with 2:42 left in the opening period and did not return.
“The kids took the challenge at halftime,” Landers said. “I think they knew that they were going to have play it out without Cobi. They came out, sparked themselves and went on a terrific run.”
Georgia faces an open week before traveling to No. 14 Kentucky on Sunday.
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