How the game was won: Tennessee (11-12, 3-5 SEC) closed the game on a 39-21 run, gaining retribution for its eariler loss at Georgia (10-12, 1-7) by capitalizing on another late-game scoring lapse by the Bulldogs. Georgia led 41-34 when Nemanja Djurisic made a jumper with 14:42 left in the second half before Tennessee launched its scoring run.
Stat of the game: 34-16. Tennessee’s bench outscored Georgia’s 34-16. Djurisic and John Florveus contributed 15 of those points on a combined 6-for-19 shooting.
Player of the game: Jeronne Maymon. The Tennessee forward not only scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, he also helped get Georgia’s two best post players, Donte Williams and Marcus Thornton, in foul trouble. Both players eventually fouled out, helping Tennessee close out the win with points in the paint.
Unsung hero of the game: Dustin Ware. Georgia’s senior guard has been in a scoring rut for much of the season, but he got off to a hot start and helped propel the offense in the first half by scoring 10 of the Bulldogs’ first 16 points. Ware finished with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
What it means: Georgia’s road woes continued as the Bulldogs dropped to 1-6 on opponents’ home floors, including an 0-4 mark in SEC play. Tennessee bounced back from its loss in Athens -- Georgia’s only win in SEC play thus far -- and earned its third conference victory.
