Thomasson scores 24 in 78-69 win over Winthrop

ATHENS, Ga. – Noah Thomasson knocked down a career-best five 3-pointers and scored 24 points to help the Georgia men’s basketball team defeat Winthrop, 78-69, inside Stegeman Coliseum on Friday evening before 6,046 spectators.

Three Bulldogs (3-3) reached double figures in scoring on the night led by Thomasson’s 24. Off the bench, Justin Hill scored 15 points and dished out three assists while Jabri Abdur-Rahim started for the sixth-straight game, the most in his career, and added 10 points with four rebounds. As a team, Georgia won the battle on the glass for the first time this season, out rebounding Winthrop (4-3) by a 39-33 margin.

Despite an early nine-point advantage from Georgia, Winthrop was able to go on a 14-2 run to control the lead just over the midway point of the half. The Bulldogs managed to swing the momentum back in their favor by outscoring the Eagles over the final five minutes of the first half to carry a 36-29 lead into the locker room. Georgia began pulling away as the second frame began, leading by as many as 15 points following a thunderous dunk from Frank Anselem-Ibe. Although Winthrop pulled it within four with just under five minutes to go, Georgia managed to pull away and pick up its third win of the season.

The Bulldogs will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, Nov. 29 for a road contest against Florida State inside the Donald L. Tucker Center at 9:15 p.m. ET. The game, which will be televised on the ACC Network, will mark the first time the programs have played since 1981, where Georgia won on the road. The team will then return to Stegeman Coliseum for a six-game homestand, beginning with Mercer on Dec. 1.

Five Fast Facts
• Noah Thomasson posted a season-best 24 points off a career-high five 3-pointers on seven attempts. This marks his second 20-point game of the season and 24th of his career.
• Georgia led 36-29 at halftime, marking the second-fewest points the Bulldogs have allowed in a half this season.
• The Bulldogs had a 1.3 assist-to-turnover ratio against Winthrop, moving the team to 3-0 when having at least an even assist-to-turnover ratio or better.
• Noah Thomasson’s five 3-pointers marks the fifth time that a Georgia player has made at least five buckets from beyond the arc under head coach Mike White.
• The Bulldogs outscored the Eagles in bench points by a 27-14 margin. Georgia has now outscored opponents in bench points in all but one game this season.

Key Quote
Head Coach Mike White: “You probably certainly didn’t learn how to just put your opponent away, but I thought it gave the opportunity for our veteran guards to step up and make some big plays down the stretch. Make some winning plays offensively when we had some empty possessions. They put some game pressure on us for sure, and to see Noah [Thomasson] step up the way he did with Justin Hill in the backcourt. Our production on the offensive glass was a big factor. We can get into other factors as well, but you didn’t ask about that. Down the stretch, it gave us an opportunity for those guys hopefully moving forward to gain some confidence knowing they hit some big shots we rebound down the stretch.”

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