As Rick Barnes met with media for the last time before the game against Georgia, he said this would be as tough a game as Tennessee has played this season.
Despite entering the game with a 14-11 record, the Georgia Bulldogs have been a hard case for the Vols to solve in the past. The Vols entered the game with a four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, including last year’s SEC tournament.
The Vols were unable to snap that streak as they fell 73-62 to the Bulldogs in Stegeman Coliseum.
After two down performances, Kyle Alexander responded with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Lamonte Turner led the Vols in the scoring department with 14 points but struggled to get his shot going, finishing 4-of-12 from the field.
In the first half, the Vols got off to a slow start, shooting 4-of-17 from the field before finishing the half on a much stronger note.
While the offense struggled, the defense kept the Vols in it, holding the Bulldogs to 28 points at the half.
Down just two at the half, the Vols stayed within striking defense, but they weren’t able to regain the lead.
At one point in the second half, the Vols were trailing by five points, and Alexander did his best impression on the boards to keep them in the game. Alexander snatched three offensive rebounds over a 30-second span, but the Vols were unable to knock down 3-pointers on the two possessions.
For the game, the Vols finished shooting 35 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range on 25 attempts.
SEC leading scorer Yante Maten was a primary focus for the Vols, and they held him in check. Maten finished the game 5-of-14 with an average of 19 points.
One area Maten proved to be a force in was from the free-throw line, earning 12 free throw attempts. Maten’s ability to get to the free throw line played a crucial role in the Vols’ leading scorer Grant Williams being in foul trouble. Williams’ foul trouble limited him to 25 minutes and five points.
Derek Ogbeide proved to be the difference, scoring 16 points and adding 11 rebounds off the bench.
With the loss, the Vols missed a chance at closing in on Auburn for the No. 1 seed in the SEC after the Tigers’ loss earlier in the day.
However, no team took advantage of the Vols’ loss, and they still remain in sole possession of second place in the SEC.
The Vols will return home on Wednesday to a matchup against the Florida Gators.
