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END OF GAME:

UGA 76     FLA 62

The game ended as UGA went on a final and resilient scoring run. It was capped off with a Caldwell-Pope breakaway that ended with a monster slam dunk to send the Gators home as losers. Right after the dunk, Robinson went to the crowded and started pumping them up. Not too long after, Williams added to the vistory with another dunk. In the end, UGA just made their shots. It was a very competitive game, but UGA played with more passion, heart, and did more right. The game was won in the first half, but not enough can be said about their effort and shooting in the second half. This is a win the Bulldogs can build off of for next season. Thanks for reading and follow me on twitter at @benbolton_UGA.

Timeout with 1:51 left, UGA 67- FLA 62

Here come the Gators. They are draining shots easily now. Williams is trying to help with 2 blocks over the past minute and a half. But, the shots are going down. UGA is doing nothing offensively

Timeout with 2:22  left, UGA 65- FLA 57

Florida is closing the gap. UGA is making bonehead mistakes, but time is on their side.

Timeout with 3:11  left, UGA 63- FLA 53

FLA scored a couple of times. The past three minutes have mainly been filled with rebounds and missed shots. UGA is starting to just run the play clock down in order to end the game quicker. UGA fans are getting loud and FLA fans are beginning to quiet down. This next stretch is crucial. UGA needs to seal the deal.

Timeout with 6:39  left, UGA 63- FLA 49

UGA went on a run to answer the FLA previous run. It began with Ware hitting a three with a defender in his face. That was followed with a Thorton post score. It has been a back and forth game. One could sense that everything is just going the Dawgs way right now. But, we have a long way to go. The Dawgs aren’t working down low as much, so good shooting will have to take the Bulldogs to victory now.

Timeout with 8:10  left, UGA 58- FLA 49

It looked like the dawgs were pulling awat after a Williams dunk and Brantley 3. However, FLA is on a streak, bring what was a 15 point deficit down to 9. The run came from free throws, good defense, and bad UGA decisions.

Timeout with 11:13  left, UGA 50- FLA 40

Djurisic has come alive. He is playing with passion and scored 7 points in the last couple of minutes. He has been a big spark for the team in the second half as Caldwell-Pope cools off. The game has still come down to turnovers, passing, and shooting percentage.

Timeout with 14:52  left, UGA 44- FLA 33

Robinson hit a big three for UGA to get back to a double digit lead. Stegman Collesium is going crazy and getting loud. FLA turnovers are allowing UGA to maintain the lead.  Time to say: UPSET ALERT.

Timeout with 15:25  left, UGA 41- FLA 33

Florida brought the lead down to 8, but UGA is still holding strong. FLA is using the full court press defense to try and force turnovers occasionally. Cadwell-Pope and Williams are playing very well, but defense is going to be the way the dawgs win this one.

Timeout with 18:09 left, UGA 39 -FLA 29

The half began with a quick FLA score. But, Caldwell-Pope is on fire and made a three pointer to answer. The Dawgs are maintaining the double digit lead for now. The game is still coming down to who is shooting and moving the ball the best.

2nd Half Begins

Analysis:

UGA ended the half on a hot streak as Caldwell-Pope and Ware made important shots from three. UGA went on two key runs during the first half that allowed them to maintain the lead throughout. UGA is 8-4 this season after leading at half. FLA is 4-5 after leading at half. Next half, UGA will have to stop a motivated and mad FLA squad. Next half, I won’t do an updated play-by-play, but more specialized stats and analysis. Enjoy!

Stats:

UGA- Shooting 53%, 22 points in the paint, 4 off turnovers, 9 on fast breaks, 16 rebounds

Caldwell-Pope: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Robinson: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

FLA: Shooting 34.5%, 25 % from three, 8 points in the paint, 16 rebounds

Boynton: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 asisst

Beal: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal

HALFTIME UGA 36- FLA 27

Caldwell-Pope gets the ball inside and lays it in after making FLA whiff on a block. Beal  makes a two for FLA. Caldwell-Pope drains a three from a foot or so past the line. On a fast break after a FLA miss, the Dawgs work it down low to Florveus for an easy two, he was fouled. He missed. UGA forces a turnover, Ware makes a transition 3. Young gets the ball inside for FLA and dunks it.

Timeout with 2:36 left in First, UGA 26- FLA 23

Beal makes a two pointer for FLA.

Florida is dictating the game now. Even the traveling fans have come alive to compete with the UGA home crowd. Caldwell-Pope isn’t shooting well, but is the only one who has really contributed offensively for the past few minutes while FLA has made their run. UGA must finish this half strong to have a chance in the 2nd half.

Timeout with 3:08 left in First, UGA 26- FLA 21

Boynton makes a three for FLA. Djurisic gets fouled working in the paint, makes one  out of two free throws. FLA finally works it inside to Murphy for an easy lay in. Williams gets a block on Walker, runs down the court and gets the pass inside and puts it in the basket. UGA forces a charge on FLA’s Young. Boynton drains a three on FLA’s next possession. FLA works it down low again to Young for 2 points. Caldwell-Pope quickly runs down court for a transition lay up.

FLA is closing the gap. They are starting to work it down low to Young and Boynton is starting to make shots. UGA is staying in there, but turnovers could cost them.

Timeout with 7:34 left in First Half, UGA 21- FLA 11

UGA foul on Beal. He makes both free throws. Robinson scored 2 for UGA on a fast break layup, gets fouled. Makes the free throw. Thorton scores 2 for UGA after getting the offensive rebound from a missed shot by Ware. Donte Williams gets a block and throws it off a FLA player to get the ball. Following possesion, Djurisic drives it inside and makes the post shot for two. FLA’s Walker marches down and makes a three pointer. Robinson answers with a three pointer of his own.

This is one of the best starts UGA has had this season. FLA’s struggles have come from poor shooting, because UGA is forcing them to take shots instead of working it inside. UGA’s offense is working very well. The plays are crisp and the players are actually executing and finishing. UGA is 8/16 shooting, FLA is 4/18 shooting (1/8 from three point line).

Timeout with 11:27 left in First Half, UGA 12- FLA 6

Robinson makes Free Throw.

FLA tried an alley-oop, but the pass as too wide. UGA 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 assists. FLA 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 2 steals, 2 assists. Difference so far has been UGA’s ability to control the paint on both ends of the floor.

Timeout with 12:55 left in First Half, UGA 11 -FLA 6

Williams makes one free throw after fouled inside by Murphy. Boyton makes a mid-range shot off a pick. Robinson scores on the give-and-go play with the assist by Djurisic. He will shoot one free throw.

UGA is still forcing them to shoot from the outside. FLA has no inside presence on offense. UGA’s offense is successively running plays to get easy shots inside.

Timeout 15:59 left in First Half, UGA 8- FLA 4

Game Begins with Administrative Technical foul because Florida dunked the ball during warmups. It was an easy 2 for Robinson. FLA won the tip, Beal with a mid range score. Djurisic makes a backboard post shot after a UGA steal. Another UGA steal leads to Caldwell-Pope layup. Caldwell-Pope gets 2 more on a lyup after a nice inside pass by Djurisic. Prather scores 2 on mid-range shot for FLA.

UGA is playing very solid zone defense. They are not giving any easy baskets. They are also forcing turnovers and working the ball inside on offense. Strong beginning, but we will see if they can keep it going against the more talented FLA squad.

Leading Scorers: UGA- Robinson, FLA-Boynton

UGA 12-15 (3-10 SEC) 11th in the SEC,    FLA 22-6 (10-3 SEC) 2nd in the SEC, Ranked 11th Nationally

UGA Starting Lineup:

Gerald Robinson

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Marcus Thornton

Nemanja Djurisic

Donte Williams

FLA Starting Lineup:

Bradley Beal

Kenny Boynton

Erving Walker

Patric Young

Erik Murphy

Hey everybody! This is Ben Bolton from the Friday Pre-Game show. We aren’t too far off from the beginning of the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. As we get closer to tip off, I will update you on stats, standings, and starting lineups for this afternoon’s game. Stay Tuned!