ATHENS — The Georgia Bulldogs men’s basketball team endured another close loss, falling 68-65 to the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 23 at Bud Walton Arena. The game, part of Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, showcased the resilience of both teams, but it was the Razorbacks who came out on top with some clutch late-game performance.
With the score knotted at 63 with just under 30 seconds remaining, Arkansas’ Adou Thiero hit the key jumper, giving the Razorbacks a two-point lead. Georgia’s Asa Newell, showing consistency, responded by sinking two free throws, tying the game again. But with only 1.6 seconds left on the clock, Thiero rebounded D.J. Wagner's missed layup, getting fouled and making three points to give Arkansas the win.
"I think we did some good things, but we've got to be able to finish games and that's something we definitely didn't do tonight," lamented Mike White, Georgia’s head coach, reflecting on the Bulldogs’ struggles. The loss marked Georgia's third consecutive defeat, moving their record to 14-5 overall and 2-4 within the SEC, diminishing their chances for a favorable NCAA tournament spot.
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start, leading by as much as 15 points at one point. Newell led the charge, ending with 18 points and eight rebounds, and R.J. Godfrey contributed 11 points. The Bulldogs’ early dominance saw them go up 46-31 before the Razorbacks initiated their comeback.
Thiero was instrumental for Arkansas, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds, snapping the Razorbacks' five-game losing streak. Karter Knox also scored 13 points for Arkansas, providing the necessary support to secure the victory as they improved to 12-7 and 1-5 in the SEC.
Despite shooting only 31% from the field and struggling from beyond the arc, where they converted just 3 of 23 attempts, Arkansas capitalized on free throws, making 29 of 34. The Razorbacks have faced challenges this season, including injuries, as point guard Boogie Fland sat out due to a hand injury. This comprehensive win will give them some much-needed momentum as they look to recover from their difficult stretch.
Georgia’s difficulties also extend to their overall performance metrics; White noted they rank last in the SEC for assist/turnover ratio at 7.8. With tough upcoming games against ranked opponents, such as No. 5 Florida, the Bulldogs face significant pressure to turn their season around.
Coach White remarked, "We've got to find ways to make it happen on the court, to not just play well but to win games. Every loss hurts, and the lessons need to be learned quickly." The path to the NCAA tournament is more challenging now, and the urgency is mounting as they strive for their first tournament appearance since 2013.
On the flip side, after the victory, Arkansas’ coach John Calipari praised Georgia’s toughness and noted, "I've got to give credit to Georgia; they played tough and made things difficult for us." This acknowledgment emphasizes the competitive nature of the SEC and how each game can significantly influence standings and momentum.
Georgia will look to rebound from this tough loss on the road, as the narrative continues for both teams amid the back-and-forth battles of SEC basketball.
The loss, though disheartening for the Bulldogs, provides them with instant lessons and opportunities to grow as they move forward, but the time for turnaround is shrinking if they want to secure their place among the NCAA tournament contenders.