Visiting Georgia defeated South Carolina 74-69 on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina, in a game between Southeastern Conference rivals led by Silas Demary Jr. S.C.
With 12 points from RJ Melendez and 11 from Jabri Abdur-Rahim off the bench, the Bulldogs (13-4, 3-1 SEC) have won 11 of their previous 12 games.
Georgia had the upper hand at the free-throw line even though neither team did very well from the field. The Gamecocks made only 53.1 percent (17 of 32) of their charity stripe efforts, while the Bulldogs converted 78.1 percent (25 of 32) — with Demary making 9 of 12 attempts.
With 19 points from Meechie Johnson and 16 from B.J. Mack, South Carolina (14-3, 2-2) suffered its first home loss of the year.
Guard for the Gamecocks Myles Stute was hurt in the left shoulder while he was vying for position following a foul shot in the second half. He stayed away from the game.
In the second half, South Carolina scored 14 of the first 20 points to take a 48-39 lead. The half began with five points from Collin Murray-Boyles, and Stute capped the run with a three-pointer.
Georgia scored a 19-3 run in response, taking a 58-51 lead. That streak was started by Justin Hill, who scored six points in a row. Abdur-Rahim sealed the victory for the Bulldogs with a 3-pointer.
With 4:57 left in the second half, Murray-Boyles scored two free throws and Johnson added a 3-pointer to pull the Gamecocks within two at 58-56. Before Frank Anselem-Ibe’s jump shot, Georgia answered with eight free throws, increasing their advantage to 68-62 with 1:40 remaining.
With 33 seconds remaining, the teams swapped baskets until Johnson made a 3-pointer to bring South Carolina within three, 70-67. To basically seal the victory, Melendez made two free throws and Johnson missed his three-point shot.
South Carolina led 27–21 after Johnson made a 3-pointer, and Georgia answered with a 10-point run. During that run, Melendez nailed two 3-pointers and a jumper, and Demary made two free throws.