Arkansas basketball downed by Georgia
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: February 9, 2012
ATHENS, Ga. - Despite 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range from sophomore Mardracus Wade, the University of Arkansas men's basketball team fell to Georgia, 81-59, Wednesday night at Stegeman Coliseum.
Arkansas drops to 16-8 overall and 4-5 in the SEC, while Georgia improves to 13-10, 2-7 in conference play.
"We had an opportunity to go on the road against Georgia, who had played a lot of close games," said Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson. "There is a thin line between winning and losing."
Wade's career-high five three-pointers all came in the second half, but he was unable to propel a comeback attempt by the Razorbacks after a tough first half.
Arkansas and Georgia traded baskets in the early going, and back-to-back three-pointers by freshman BJ Young made it 8-8 just over six minutes in. The Bulldogs surged for a 15-0 run, however, opening up a 23-8 lead with 8:53 left in the first half.
Arkansas went 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the last 2:05 of the first half, and ended the half on a 5-0 run to gain some momentum heading to the break trailing 43-24. The run continued into the second half, as baskets by three different players formed a 6-2 run that cut the Bulldogs' lead to 45-30 with 18:09 to play.
That was as close as Arkansas would get in the second half, as a 12-0 Bulldog run over the next four minutes put Georgia ahead 57-30. The Razorbacks cut the lead to 19 points, 60-41, with an 8-0 run that included two three-pointers by Wade, with just over ten minutes left in the game. Arkansas could not get any closer, however, as a strong Georgia offense closed out the game.
"Right now we have to have everything go our way to win on the road," Anderson said. "We have to figure out how to win."
Young scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting for Arkansas, and senior Marvell Waithe added 10 points and six rebounds. The Razorbacks converted free throws at 82.4 percent on 14-for-17 shooting.
Arkansas freshman Hunter Mickelson had seven points, four rebounds and three blocks Wednesday night. The three blocked shots gave Mickelson 60 on the season, tying him with Oliver Miller for the record by a first-year player.
Gerald Robinson Jr. led Georgia with 27 points, including 17 in the first half. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 points for the Bulldogs.
Arkansas is back at home on Saturday, Feb. 11, when it hosts South Carolina for a 12:30 p.m. matchup inside Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas drops to 16-8 overall and 4-5 in the SEC, while Georgia improves to 13-10, 2-7 in conference play.
"We had an opportunity to go on the road against Georgia, who had played a lot of close games," said Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson. "There is a thin line between winning and losing."
Wade's career-high five three-pointers all came in the second half, but he was unable to propel a comeback attempt by the Razorbacks after a tough first half.
Arkansas and Georgia traded baskets in the early going, and back-to-back three-pointers by freshman BJ Young made it 8-8 just over six minutes in. The Bulldogs surged for a 15-0 run, however, opening up a 23-8 lead with 8:53 left in the first half.
Arkansas went 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the last 2:05 of the first half, and ended the half on a 5-0 run to gain some momentum heading to the break trailing 43-24. The run continued into the second half, as baskets by three different players formed a 6-2 run that cut the Bulldogs' lead to 45-30 with 18:09 to play.
That was as close as Arkansas would get in the second half, as a 12-0 Bulldog run over the next four minutes put Georgia ahead 57-30. The Razorbacks cut the lead to 19 points, 60-41, with an 8-0 run that included two three-pointers by Wade, with just over ten minutes left in the game. Arkansas could not get any closer, however, as a strong Georgia offense closed out the game.
"Right now we have to have everything go our way to win on the road," Anderson said. "We have to figure out how to win."
Young scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting for Arkansas, and senior Marvell Waithe added 10 points and six rebounds. The Razorbacks converted free throws at 82.4 percent on 14-for-17 shooting.
Arkansas freshman Hunter Mickelson had seven points, four rebounds and three blocks Wednesday night. The three blocked shots gave Mickelson 60 on the season, tying him with Oliver Miller for the record by a first-year player.
Gerald Robinson Jr. led Georgia with 27 points, including 17 in the first half. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 points for the Bulldogs.
Arkansas is back at home on Saturday, Feb. 11, when it hosts South Carolina for a 12:30 p.m. matchup inside Bud Walton Arena.
