Frazier, Gaines power Georgia past Tennessee, 81-72
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) J.J. Frazier and Kenny Gaines handled almost all the scoring in Georgia's decisive second-half run after trailing by nine points and the Bulldogs beat Tennessee 81-72 on Wednesday night.
Tennessee led 43-34 early in the second half before Georgia used a 25-6 run to take a 59-49 lead. Frazier, who had 28 points and Gaines, who had 23, combined for the last 23 points in the run.
After the Vols answered with five straight points, another jumper from Gaines pushed the duo's streak to 25 straight points for Georgia.
Georgia (9-5, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) committed 18 first-half turnovers but protected the ball better in the second half to finish with 20.
Kevin Punter and Detrick Mostella each had 16 points to lead Tennessee (8-8, 1-3).
Tennessee, 8-1 in home games, fell to 0-7 away from Knoxville.
Georgia's strong 3-point shooting in the first half wasn't enough to overcome the Bulldogs' 16 turnovers. Tennessee caused Georgia problems as it extended its perimeter defense, sometimes trapping the ball and forcing bad passes.
The Vols' strong defense held the Bulldogs without a field goal for about seven minutes after a hook shot by Yante Maten gave Georgia a 19-18 lead. Tennessee took the lead during Georgia's field-goal drought and led 35-28 at halftime.
Tennessee stretched the lead to nine points at 43-34 before Georgia answered with an 18-4 run, including the last 16 points from Gaines and Frazier, for a 52-47 lead.
Tennessee again had no starter taller than 6-foot-5. The Vols look bigger in the SEC statistics. Tennessee had a plus-6.3 rebounding margin in its first three SEC games to rank fourth in the league, but Georgia claimed a 43-28 advantage in rebounds and blocked five shots.
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TIP-INS
Tennessee: freshman Admiral Schofield, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons linebacker O'Brien Schofield, had only two points to end his strong start to SEC play. He played only seven minutes in the first half after picking up an early foul. His only points came on two free throws with about three minutes remaining. After averaging 4.8 points in nonconference games, Schofield averaged 18.3 points in his first three SEC games. ... Mostella fouled out in the final minute.
Georgia: Maten had 10 points and eight rebounds. ... Freshman F Derek Ogbeide had three points and seven rebounds in his first start. ... Georgia made its first three shots - all 3s. ... Gaines finished with six 3s. Frazier had four 3s.
UP NEXT
Tennessee: At Mississippi State on Saturday.
Georgia: Hosts No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday.
