Georgia’s men’s basketball season got underway Wednesday night as the Dawgs hosted Fort Valley State in an exhibition game. The Bulldogs won 94-38 with points scored by 12 different players.
 
 
Junior Yante Maten led the Bulldogs with 19 points. However, one of the most impressive performances was from freshman Tyree Crump, who had 14 points.
 
 
The defense also had a standout performance to open the season. Georgia’s defense had six steals, four blocks and forced 14 turnovers. They held the Wildcats to just 24.6 percent shooting on the night.
 
 
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The Dawgs led 51-19 at the break, shooting 19-of-39. However, it was Maten who made plays throughout the first half. He started the game off 4-of-4 and had 10 points in the first three minutes of the game. During the first half, he tallied 13 points.
 
 
In the second half, Maten continued his streak by firing off dunks in Georgia’s first two possessions. He finished the half with six points.
 
 
Crump got hot fast as well, draining 4-out-of-7 three-point shots throughout the entire game. During the first half, two of the four three-pointers were made within 45 seconds of each other getting the team into a rhythm.
 
 
However, the most impressive was how the defense came out and did what they were supposed to do. They held the Wildcats to single-digit points until the 4:52 mark in the first half. Fort Valley only 8-out-of-32 shots. This strong defensive showing carried through the second half only allowing nine made field goals.
 
 
The Bulldogs will start the regular season next week as they travel to Clemson on Friday, November 11. The game will have a 7 p.m. tipoff, and it will be on FOX Sports. The team will return home on Nov. 14 to play UNC Asheville.