Georgia Falls to Clemson in Thrilling Exhibition
In a back‑and‑forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Georgia Bulldogs narrowly missed a comeback against the Clemson Tigers, falling 82‑80 in a preseason exhibition at Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday night. The game, marked by late‑game heroics and a buzzer‑beating layup, showcased both teams’ resilience and set a competitive tone ahead of the regular season.
Game Summary
Georgia trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half but mounted a dramatic rally, tying the score at 80‑80 with 13 seconds remaining on a three‑pointer by Kanon Catchings. Clemson, however, reclaimed the lead on a layup as time expired, securing the narrow victory. The contest was the first meeting between the two programs in an exhibition setting and drew a lively crowd to Littlejohn Coliseum.
Key Player Performances
Catchings led Georgia with 19 points, while Brady Dunlap added 16 and Marcus “Smurf” Millender contributed 11 points, four assists, and a pair of steals. James Scott pulled down a team‑high eight rebounds, and Blue Cain also recorded two steals. The Bulldogs’ offense struggled at the free‑throw line, converting just 64.3 % of 14 attempts, in contrast to Clemson’s 75.7 % success on 37 trips.
Coach Mike White’s Reaction
On the game…
“Clemson executed down the stretch. They did a great job of drawing fouls throughout the game. We’ve got to clean a lot of things up, but we were competitive against a very good program on the road. We have a lot to learn from tonight, both positively and negatively.”
Statistical Comparison
| Stat | Georgia | Clemson |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 80 | 82 |
| Free‑Throw % | 64.3 % | 75.7 % |
| Rebounds | — | — |
| Assists | 4 (team‑high) | — |
Looking Ahead
Georgia will open its regular‑season schedule next Monday against N.C. Central in a doubleheader that also features the Georgia Lady Bulldogs versus West Georgia. The women’s game is slated for 5:00 p.m., with the men’s contest following at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Georgia Basketball single‑game, mini‑packages, and neutral‑site games are available through the official athletics website.
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