Led by the first career double-double from freshman Sarah Ashlee Barker and three players scoring in double figures, the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team defeated Georgia State, 85-51, Thursday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Senior center Jenna Staiti scored 14 of her 16 points after halftime. She also grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots. Staiti has now scored in double figures in 14 of her last 15 games and collected her sixth double-double in that span.
Maya Caldwell matched Staiti’s scoring effort with 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. Barker scored a career-high 10 points and had 12 rebounds.
“That’s what makes us dangerous. That’s what makes us fun to watch that you have to scout everyone on our team.,” head coach Joni Taylor. “So, when everyone shows up, contributes, and is on, this is what it looks like. It takes the pressure off a certain few to feel like they must do it every single game. It also makes practice competitive because, in a way, you’re looking over your shoulder because you know there’s someone that can come in and be productive. So, it’s made for good chemistry and good practices. We’ve gotten better, and hopefully it gives us the depth to make a deep run this year.”
Georgia (6-0) went on a 12-2 run in the opening quarter. Barker found Que Morrison in the corner, draining a three at the horn to take a 26-10 lead going into the second period.
The Lady Bulldogs sustained that double digit lead in the second quarter, jumping up by as many as 25 points. Georgia went 15 of 30 (50%) from the field and shot 3-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first half. Caldwell led all scorers with nine and her team went into halftime with a commanding 45-23 lead.
Out of the break, Georgia raced out with 14 points compared to Georgia State’s four before a timeout was called. Barker hit 1-of-2 free throws to extend the Lady Bulldogs lead to 69-37 – their largest of the game with seconds remaining until the final quarter.
The Lady Bulldogs kept the pace in the remaining 10 minutes and dominated the floor from start to finish. Georgia outscored Georgia State 40-28 in the paint, and outrebounded them 50-32 overall.
Up next, Georgia faces Furman at Stegeman Coliseum on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET