The first road game of the SEC schedule for Auburn was filled with poor shooting to go along with a solid shooting night for their opponent.
Georgia outshot Auburn 45% to 35% and spent much more time at the free throw line than the Tigers in their 76-64 win at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s win over No. 20 Auburn is the first for Georgia in the Mike White era, who continues his success after going 142-88 in seven seasons at Florida. It is also the first time that Georgia has started the SEC schedule with a 1-0 record since the 2016-17 season.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-10 lead by the halfway mark of the first half, but would go on a drought over a four-minute span to allow Auburn to tie the game with 6:06 remaining in the half. [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] kicked off the run by making two free throws and tied the game at 21-21 on a layup.
Momentum would not stay with Auburn long, however, as Georgia closed the half by outscoring Auburn, 16-10, to take a 37-30 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs shot 41% from the field through the first 20 minutes, while Auburn could only muster 30%. Green and [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] led the team in scoring with seven points.
Georgia stayed consistent out of the locker room, as they continued to pull away from the Tigers. The Bulldogs took a 60-53 lead with 7:30 remaining in regulation, which would be the closest deficit for the remainder of the game.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a hot offensive start. Georgia shot 50% through the first nine minutes of the game to take a 15-10 lead. Terry Roberts and Mardrez McBride were perfect through the timeout, scoring four and two points respectively. Jabari Abdur-Rahim scored five points off the bench by connecting on three-of-four free throws and succeeding on a field goal.
The loss brings Auburn’s record to 11-3, 1-1 in SEC play. Broome ended the game with a double-double, scoring 22 points and reeling in 10 rebounds. [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag] was next in line with 11 points off of the bench.
Auburn returns to Neville Arena on Saturday to host No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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