Chants of “J.J. Frazier” were heard repeatedly throughout Stegeman Coliseum at the conclusion of the UGA basketball team’s game against the Auburn Tigers, which ended in a thrilling 79-78 victory.
The Bulldogs needed to win this game to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive and their slow start made it seem that they would not get this crucial victory. The Tigers were absolutely lethal from the three-point land tonight as they finished 12-27 from three-point range, but the Bulldogs almost always had an answer for the Tigers shots in the second half. Frazier was the difference maker in this game and the Tigers’ inability to stop him was what ultimately won the game for the Bulldogs.
Out of the Bulldogs last three wins, this performance by Frazier happened to be his best as he finished with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Frazier was also 5-9 from three-point range and knocking down shots from deep was pivotal against this Tigers team. Frazier was absolutely dominant in the second half as he scored 21 points during this period alone. Frazier’s hot play has hit at the perfect time as the Bulldogs will finish their season without their leading scorer Yante Maten.
During Maten’s absence, Frazier’s scoring has seen a huge increase. Previous to Maten’s absence Frazier was averaging 16.6 points per game but during the Bulldogs last four-game stretch he has averaged an astounding 31.0 points per game. If Frazier can stay hot, he may just lead his team to the NCAA tournament.
Frazier was not alone in his efforts on the Bulldogs’ Senior Day, as Tyree Crump and Derek Ogbeide had great games as well. Crump finished his day with his third double-digit scoring game of his career with 10 points. Crump has been relied on more as of late and for the most part, the freshman has done a great job with his added court time.
Derek Ogbeide has been a solid contributor for the Bulldogs all season long and that production continued in this must-win game. Ogbeide finished with a double-double, his third of the year, with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The Bulldogs will finish up their regular season schedule in an away game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on March 4th at 2 p.m. and then look to see where they are seeded for the SEC men’s basketball tournament.
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