[su_spacer size=”40″] The trio of Tiaria Griffin, Shacobia Barbee, and Pachis Roberts combined for 42 points, but the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team (13-5, 1-4) never found scoring depth and fell 64-50 to Alabama (13-5, 2-3) on Sunday afternoon at Foster Auditorium.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In front of a healthy Georgia contingent in the stands, the trio found success on the offensive end with Griffin and Roberts registering 19 and 11 points, respectively. Barbee recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 boards, but the Lady Bulldogs could not withstand a 1-for-14 shooting stretch to close out the game.
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Georgia vs. Alabama Box Score – Click Here

[su_spacer size=”40″] “We got in foul trouble early, so we’ve got different combinations in there,” said Georgia head coach Joni Taylor. “Credit Alabama. They did a really good job of switching up their defense and keeping us off track, and I don’t think we ever got into an offensive rhythm.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] After falling behind 2-0, the Lady Dogs responded quickly with a 7-0 run sparked by a three-point play by Merritt Hempe. The Crimson Tide answered with an identical streak of its own, and Georgia next claimed the lead at 15-13 thanks to back-to-back treys from Griffin. The game remained tight to the end of the first quarter with Alabama clinging to a 19-17 lead through 10 minutes.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The defenses tightened in the second quarter as Alabama took a 23-21 lead into the media timeout at 4:24. The Crimson Tide found some separation at 28-22, in the final minute, and the home squad held on to a six-point lead into the half. Georgia finished the first 20 minutes with a 30-percent shooting clip and mustered just seven points in the second frame.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Alabama appeared to find some breathing room early in the third quarter as it bust open a 37-26 lead, but a 9-2 run courtesy of the long ball brought Georgia back within striking distance. The run came from Griffin sandwiching 3s around a make by Pachis Roberts, pulling Georgia to within four points. A layup from Barbee made it a one-possession game at the end of the third quarter. Georgia’s defensive play was key in the comeback, as the Lady Dogs held Alabama to one in its final 11 shots of the quarter.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Roberts was clutch in the early running of the final frame, scoring Georgia’s first six points to keep the Lady Bulldogs within three in the first three minutes. A pair of Barbee free throws brought Georgia within two at 6:47, but Alabama pushed back to extend its lead to six with four minutes remaining. The Crimson Tide opened the lead to eight after the break, and Georgia was unable to draw even.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Lady Bulldogs will return to action at home on Thursday night (Jan. 21) at seven p.m. against No. 7/6 Mississippi State. For all the latest on Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@UGA_WBB), Instagram (uga_wbb) and Facebook, and continue checking in to georgiadogs.com.
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