Photo by Ted Mayer
[su_spacer size=”40″] The victory marked the 900th win in Lady Bulldog history and was the team’s first under new head coach Joni Taylor.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Barbee’s triple-double included 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. She now joins UGA greats Teresa Edwards and Tracy Henderson as the only three Lady Bulldogs to record a triple-double. Edwards reached a triple-double in 1986 against Alabama, while Henderson recorded hers in 1995 against Louisville.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Tiaria Griffin led the team in scoring with 21 points, going 9-of-16 from the field and making a pair 3-pointers. Following Griffin was sophomore Mackenzie Engram, who notched her second career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “Ever since I got the job, the team has been behind me and supported me,” said Taylor. “I’m really proud of them, it’s their game, and I tell them all the time, the game is played between the lines. We try to put them in positions where they can be successful, they went out today and played their hearts out for the fans and for the new era in women’s basketball, so I’m really excited.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The first few minutes of play saw a trade in leads between Georgia and Stetson. Georgia maintained the lead throughout the rest of the game after a 3-pointer from Griffin with 6:05 left in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter the Lady Bulldogs led the Hatters, 20-17.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Lady Bulldogs and Hatters went back-and-forth in baskets until Georgia started to break away toward the end of the second quarter. Georgia went on a 10-0 run after back-to-back 3-pointers from Amber Skidgel and Barbee put Georgia up 35-24, one of its largest leads of the first half. During the 4:05 run, the Georgia defense held Stetson scoreless, as the Hatters went 0-of-6 from the field. With six different Bulldogs putting points on the board, Georgia led Stetson 39-32 at the half.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia continued its momentum in the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Hatters 22-6, with a great showing from Griffin who had nine points, going 4-for-5 from the field. Georgia led Stetson 61-38 going into the fourth.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s largest lead came early in the fourth when the Lady Bulldogs were up by 24 after a layup from senior Merritt Hempe, as she finished the day with 16 points. Barbee sealed her triple-double with an assist from Griffin, scoring her final two points with 2:15 left in the game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia returns to action Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Lady Bulldogs travel to Michigan State to take on the Spartans.
[su_spacer size=”60″]