The new-look Georgia Bulldogs looked pretty good.
Playing its first game in two years without the dynamic Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Bulldogs appeared quite comfortable utilizing more of a committee approach in the season opener against Wofford on Friday night.
Led by Nemanja Djurisic’s 12 points, five Bulldogs scored seven or more points, and the team used superior size and athletic ability for a 49-24 rebounding edge. The end result was a 72-52 victory at Stegeman Coliseum.
“It was great to get started,” said Georgia coach Mark Fox, who’s entering his fifth season with the Bulldogs. “I thought we were a little bit nervous out of the gate, but we calmed down and finished out the half.”
Donte’ Williams, the team’s only senior, had 11 points and nine rebounds. Kenny Gaines added 10, junior college transfer Cameron Forte added 9 and Charles Mann had 7 points and three assists.
“It was important to get the win and for everybody to get a chance to play,” said Williams, who played only 18 minutes. “I felt like everybody stepped up. Different guys stepped up at every position, and everybody played hard as a team. I felt like we competed well, and we’re going to be a deep team.”
The Bulldogs (1-0) now have a week to prepare for Friday’s home game against archrival Georgia Tech. Georgia has lost its past two in the series with the Yellow Jackets.
The outcome wasn’t in doubt for long. Georgia had a 19-point lead by halftime and got ahead by as many as 24 points early in the second half. Wofford (0-1) got as close as 16 points late in the game as the Bulldogs emptied their bench and played multiple combinations. Georgia played 14 players in the game.
Sophomore forward Brandon Morris, who started 20 games last season, did not dress for the game. Fox would not say if he was suspended, but clearly he is in the coaches’ doghouse.
“When he plays I’ll talk about him,” Fox said. “He’s a good kid, but he’s got to grow up.”
Georgia was especially impressive in the opening half. The teams split the first 24 points of the game evenly, then the Bulldogs began to methodically pull away. Gaines made a baseline jumper to break the 12-12 tie, and Georgia never looked back, outscoring its visitors 27-8 to the halftime buzzer to carry a 39-20 lead into the locker room.
By the 3:47 mark, Georgia’s superior size and athletic ability was evident and helped get the team into the double-bonus at the free-throw line. The Bulldogs cashed in and made 14 of 19 free throws in the first 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Wofford was left with few second chances. Georgia held a 22-12 rebounding edge, with 15 coming on defense.
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