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Georgia guard Marjorie Butler (24) during the Lady Bulldogs’ game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Stegeman Coliseum on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by John Kelley)
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NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Senior guard Tiaria Griffin tied a career high with 23 points, while fellow senior Shacobia Barbee scored 13 fourth quarter points to lead the Georgia Lady Bulldogs basketball team past BYU, 66-58, Friday night in the opening game of the Radisson Chatsworth Thanksgiving Classic.
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It marked the third time in four games this season Griffin has scored 20 points or more. In all, four Lady Bulldogs scored in double figures with Merritt Hempe’s 13 and Mackenzie Engram’s 11 points.
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With the win, Georgia improves to 4-1 on the year, while BYU falls to 2-3.
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BYU jumped out to a quick lead, hitting two of their first three 3-point baskets to take the early advantage. The Cougars built a 14-7 advantage and never trailed in the opening period, before Georgia finished on a 6-0 run to cut the score to 14-13 to begin the second quarter.
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The Cougar defense held the Lady Bulldogs to just 29-percent shooting in the first half, but Griffin led a scoring surge to take the teams into the break. She scored 11 first-half points, hitting 6-of-6 from the free-throw line as Georgia went on an 8-2 run to finish the second quarter and took a 29-27 lead into the half.
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Georgia carried over its strong finish in the second quarter over to the third quarter. After back-to-back baskets by Hempe and Engram to start the period, the Lady Bulldogs built as much as a 41-30 lead and stretched the lead to 12 with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter.
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BYU stormed back in the fourth, but Barbee came alive in the final period, leading Georgia to the 66-58 victory.
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The Lady Bulldogs have a quick turnaround and will play the winner of the Penn State vs. Cal State Northridge matchup on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
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For more information on the Georgia Lady Bulldogs, follow the team on Twitter @UGA_WBB.
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