Razorbacks defeat Bulldogs, 78-75

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Georgia men’s basketball team fell to Arkansas by a 78-75 score on Saturday evening at Bud Walton Arena.

Silas Demary Jr. led all scorers with 19 points, three assists and a pair of steals. Justin Hill reached 17 points 10-for-11 from the free throw line, while Russel Tchewa reached 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Georgia (14-10, 4-7 SEC) outscored Arkansas (12-11, 3-7 SEC) in paint points, 44-42, but the Razorbacks earned more bench points than the Bulldogs, 44-20, marking just the fourth time this season Georgia was outscored in the statistic.

The Bulldogs held a four-point advantage after converting on a pair of free throws from Tchewa 11 minutes into the contest. The Razorbacks responded with 10 unanswered points and eventually stretched the lead out to seven toward the end of the half. Dylan James cut it to five with a first-half buzzer-beater, putting the score at 34-29 in favor of Arkansas. Georgia was unable to stop Arkansas to start the second half, with the Razorback knocking down consecutive 3-pointers and growing their lead out to 12. The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit to just two points thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from James and Blue Cain. The teams kept it close until under the four-minute mark when Hill knocked down a step-back deep ball and gave Georgia its first lead of the half, 66-65. Arkansas pulled ahead one final time with a shot from beyond the arc by El Ellis, carrying the lead to the final buzzer.

Georgia will return to Stegeman Coliseum to play Florida on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. with the contest to be broadcasted by the SEC Network. The Bulldogs previously fell to the Gators in overtime, 102-98, on Jan. 27 at the Stephen O’Connell Center.

Five Fast Facts
• Silas Demary Jr. totaled 19 points to lead all scorers, marking the second-highest point total for the freshman in his collegiate career.
• Georgia finished with 44 points in the point, which is tied for the fourth-most in a game this season.
• By reaching double figures on Saturday evening, Russel Tchewa has now scored at least 10 points in four of the last six games.
• Russel Tchewa also tied his career-best in assists, recording three for the seventh time in his career.
• Dylan James scored seven points on three made field goals, both of which are personal bests in conference play.

Key Quote
Head Coach Mike White: “Our freshman are playing really well. I love our freshman guards. Blue Cain continues to get better, Dylan James looked great tonight and Silas Demary Jr., I would guess before evaluating the film, was probably as productive as anyone on our team today. He was really good. You’re starting to take that for granted late in the season, and you’ve got to remind yourself that he’s a true freshman. To come into Bud Walton Arena and get 19 points, three assists and one turnover against that pressure that just continues to come at you with speed and depth, is really impressive.”

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