Another close call, more Georgia heartbreak.

Saturday’s 81-77 loss to No. 13 Kentucky was yet another example of the type of year it’s been, where a Victory was once again snatched from the Bulldogs – one way or the other – right at the very end.

For those who have followed the Bulldogs, the ending was one they’ve seen before. Of Georgia’s 12 losses, eight have come after the Bulldogs led following the final media timeout.

“We’ve been close and I haven’t been able to get us over the hump in those,” head coach Mark Fox said. “Put the blame right here. The kids competed hard and done what I’ve asked them to do. In those situations, like today, it’s on me.”

Senior J.J. Frazier certainly tried to be a hero.

With Yante Maten going out just over two minutes into the game with an injured right knee, Frazier took it upon himself and nearly willed the Bulldogs (15-12, 6-8), scoring 36 points, including a layup with 44 seconds left to put Georgia up 75-73.

But that would be the last lead the Bulldogs would have. A missed jumper by Frazier would have tied the game at 77 with 13 seconds left, but De’Aaron Fox grabbed the rebound and the Wildcats hit their free throws to salt away the win.

“I got bumped a little bit,” Frazier said of the play. “I thought I was going to get fouled, but it was a clean shot. It happens sometimes. I’ll take that shot 10 times out of 10.”

Frazier said holding for the last shot never crossed his mind.

“I had a crease and I took it,” he said. “I got to the spot where I worked on. I just missed it.”

As for Maten, the news does not appear to be good.

Although Fox did not have a complete update, after the game he described the injury as “serious.” His status for Thursday’s game at Alabama and the rest of the year is uncertain.

“Obviously, without Yante we had to play a little different at times, and quite frankly, we just didn’t rebound in the second half,” Fox said. “We had given them I think one or two offensive rebounds in the first half, but as the game wore on, our big guys just wore down. Obviously, Derek (Ogbeide) and Mike (Edwards) had to play massive minutes, but our kids competed. I feel terrible for them and our fans, but we just didn’t rebound the ball in the second half and that was really a key there late.”

Kentucky (22-5, 12-2) finished with a 41-25 rebounding edge against the Bulldogs.

Frazier said he wasn’t surprised to see the team respond after Maten went down.

“I think everybody felt that way, that we had to pick it up” Frazier said. “I’m proud of my teammates, man. They gave me everything they had, I gave them everything I had. We just fell short.”

Frazier was one of three Bulldogs to finish in double-figures, along with Edwards and Juwan Parker, who finished with 10 points each.

Malik Monk and Fox led Kentucky with 16 points each, followed by Edrice Adebayo with 13.

NOTES: Frazier’s 36 points brought his season-total to 24 double-digit scoring games and 69 for his career. … Ogbeide’s 11 rebounds was the 10th time this year he’s pulled down double-digit boards. Ironically, all 11 of his rebounds Saturday were on the defensive end. … Georgia returns to action on Thursday when the Bulldogs travel to Alabama. The Bulldogs return home next Saturday against LSU. … Saturday’s game featured 14 different lead changes. … Frazier’s 36 points were the most points scored against Kentucky since Elston Turner of Texas A&M poured in 40 on Jan 12, 2013.