The Georgia Bulldogs showcased why they are one of the most explosive offensive units in collegiate basketball, overcoming a sluggish start to secure a commanding 83-71 victory over LSU.
In front of a vocal crowd at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, the Bulldogs relied on a devastating scoring run to dismantle the Tigers and maintain their pursuit of a top-tier seeding in the SEC.
LSU Associate Head Coach David Patrick watched from the sidelines as his side initially threatened to blow the game wide open. Harnessing the same energy that saw them defeat South Carolina just a week ago, the Tigers exploded out of the blocks to establish a 31-16 lead within the first ten minutes.
Max Mackinnon was the catalyst for the early onslaught. The Tigers' standout delivered a professional performance, tallying 26 points, four assists, and five rebounds. Mackinnon was clinical from the charity stripe, finishing 10-of-10 on free throws to mark his 14th consecutive game in double figures.
However, Georgia—a team averaging over 92 points per game—refused to be intimidated by the early deficit. Known for their ability to score in transition and capitalize on turnovers, the Bulldogs methodically clawed their way back into the contest.
A ruthless 27-6 run over the final ten minutes of the first half completely shifted the momentum, allowing Georgia to head into the locker room with a 42-37 lead.
The Tigers' offensive fluency vanished in the second period as Georgia’s defensive intensity ramped up. LSU struggled to find clean looks, being held to just nine field goals in the final 20 minutes.
LSU’s perimeter shooting proved particularly problematic, failing to land a single three-pointer from seven attempts in the second half. Despite a 14-point contribution from Marquel Sutton, the Tigers simply couldn't keep pace with a Georgia side that remained relentless until the final buzzer.
For Patrick and the LSU coaching staff, the defeat serves as a sobering reminder of the consistency required to compete in the upper echelons of the SEC.
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