January 9, 2013

UGA Sports Communications

"We just started out in a hole, and I think the environment overwhelmed a couple of our kids," said Georgia head coach Mark Fox. "We dug such a hole and just tried to play uphill all night. We hung in there for a little bit in the first half and just had a poor start to the second half. You have to give Florida credit. That's a terrific team. I'm disappointed in how we played, but we lost to a terrific team."

Just as he has done in all but two games this season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led Georgia in scoring with 11 points, including a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line.

Florida opened the game on an 11-0 run, due in part to four Georgia turnovers on their first five possessions. Vincent Williams finally broke the scoring drought for the Bulldogs with a jumper at the 14:22 mark.

The Georgia defense held Florida without another point for over four minutes until Mike Rosario drained a three-pointer at the 11:15 mark to increase the Florida lead to 14-2.

Caldwell-Pope totaled five points in the first half, and Nemi Djurisic added four points on a pair of free throws and a jumper, as the Bulldogs entered the break trailing 28-15.

Florida opened the second half on a 13-6 run during the first four minutes of play to extend their lead to 20. Williams knocked down Georgia's first three-pointer of the game with just under 14 minutes remaining in the half to trim the lead down to 18, but Florida would continue to pull away for the eventual 77-44 victory.

Georgia shot 39 percent from the field and 79 percent (15-of-19) from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs also tallied five blocked shots on the night, including two apiece from John Florveus and Tim Dixon. The pair of blocks ties a season-high mark for Florveus.

Four players scored in double figures for the Gators, led by Rosario with a game-high 19 points.

Georgia continues conference play this Saturday at home against Mississippi State at 1:45 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network.