The Lady Bulldogs made No.3 ranked Mississippi State sweat and work for their win in an epic Thursday night college women’s basketball game over in Starkville at Humphrey Coliseum. Georgia led for over 31 minutes of the game, but in the end, Mississippi state pulled ahead in the fourth quarter to prevail 58-49, handing the Lady Bulldogs their 13th loss on the season.
 
 
Georgia jumped out early and led most of the way, building a 42-39 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs only scored seven points in the final frame as MSU improved to 26-1, 12-1 in the SEC.
 
 
“I thought we were a little hesitant offensively in the fourth quarter,” head coach Joni Taylor said. “Credit Mississippi State and credit our team for a really great game tonight. I am proud of our team and we have to get ready for the next one.”
 
 
Georgia looked sharp early on after Caliya Robinson came off the bench in the first three minutes. She blocked Victoria Vivians’ 3-pointer and drove coast-to-coast to give the Lady Bulldogs an early 4-2 lead.
 
 
Robinson did not stop there. In fact, she scored nine of Georgia’s first 11 points as the Lady Bulldogs held Mississippi State to just 2-of-13 (15 percent) shooting from the floor en route to an 11-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
 
Mackenzie Engram followed Robinson’s lead with six second-quarter points. Georgia had to stave off a late flurry by MSU late in the frame to stake claim to a slim 21-19 lead at the half.
 
 
Georgia maintained its lead throughout the third quarter, answering everything Mississippi State could throw its way. The Maroon Bulldogs inched back and tied the game at 39-39 with just over a minute to go, but Shanea Armbister nailed a big 3-point basket to give Georgia a 42-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
 
The Lady Bulldogs’ slowed down in the fourth quarter as MSU hung on for a 58-49 victory.
 
 
Georgia now heads home to face LSU on Senior Day this Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.