Athens, Georgia – In a closely contested Southeastern Conference matchup on , the University of Georgia Bulldogs defeated the University of Texas Longhorns 91-80 at Stegeman Coliseum. The victory snapped a five-game winning streak for Texas, while bolstering Georgia’s position in the NCAA Tournament picture.
The game saw a dramatic shift in momentum, with Texas rallying from an 18-point deficit to tie the score with seven minutes remaining. However, the Longhorns ultimately ran out of steam, unable to maintain the comeback against a determined Georgia side. Both teams entered the contest with similar tournament profiles, currently projected as No. 9 seeds according to NCAA NET ratings.
Georgia’s win improves their record to 19-8 overall and 7-7 in SEC play. Texas falls to 17-10, with an 8-6 conference record. The Bulldogs’ success comes as they return to their home court, Stegeman Coliseum, a venue that saw a sold-out crowd on Saturday.
Defensive Struggles for Texas
A key factor in the Longhorns’ defeat was their defensive performance. They conceded 85 points to LSU earlier in the week and allowed Georgia to shoot an impressive 59.6% from the floor. These defensive lapses overshadowed strong individual performances from Texas players.
Matas Vokietaitis led Texas in scoring with 22 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the field. Dailyn Swain added 21 points, converting 6 of 11 attempts. Guard Jordan Pope contributed 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting. However, the remainder of the Longhorns’ roster combined for only 20 points, highlighting a significant imbalance in offensive contribution.
Bulldogs’ Balanced Attack
Georgia’s victory was built on a balanced offensive effort, with five players scoring in double figures. Jeremiah Wilkinson paced the Bulldogs with 19 points. The team’s ability to distribute scoring proved crucial in overcoming Texas’s late surge.
The Bulldogs are currently leading the nation in percentage of field goals that are dunks, converting 18.7 percent of their shots into slam dunks (163 of 808 field goals). Somto Cyril, a Georgia player, is the nation’s leading dunker with 70 rim rattlers this season.
Looking Ahead for Texas
Despite the loss, Texas’s NCAA Tournament hopes remain largely intact. However, the Longhorns face a challenging stretch of games to close out the regular season. They will host No. 9 Florida on Wednesday before embarking on road trips to rivals Arkansas and Texas A&M, and a home game against Oklahoma. Maintaining consistency, particularly on the defensive end, will be critical for their postseason aspirations.
Georgia’s Momentum
Georgia’s win over Texas follows an 86-78 victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena on . The Bulldogs are building momentum at a crucial stage of the season, with Blue Cain having started every game this season, extending his streak to 67 consecutive starts.
Somto Cyril is on the verge of breaking Georgia’s single-season field goal percentage record. With just two more field goals, he will qualify for the record and is projected to surpass the current mark even with a relatively low shooting percentage. Blue Cain is also nearing milestones in three-pointers made, sitting within striking distance of several all-time program leaders.
Game Details and Coverage
The game was televised on the SEC Network, with Rich Hollenberg and Pat Bradley providing commentary. Live audio coverage was available through the Georgia Bulldog Network and SiriusXM channel 382, featuring Scott Howard and Chuck Dowdle. The first 750 University of Georgia students in attendance received a free “Spike Hat” as a game giveaway.
The contest at Stegeman Coliseum, which holds 10,523 spectators, marked a significant SEC battle with implications for both teams’ postseason positioning. The Bulldogs’ ability to defend their home court proved decisive in securing the victory.
