The injury plagued Bulldogs (9-4) got off to a 16-4 run on New Year’s Eve and held on to defeat the Kennesaw State Owls, 72-52.
The Bulldogs, who were already without senior guard Terrance Woodbury as he missed his fourth consecutive game with an ankle injury, were also without starting point guard Zach Swansey.
To make matters worse, Travis Leslie, who is starting in Woodbury’s place, picked up two first-half fouls and only played a total of 14 minutes.
Freshman Dustin Ware got the start at point and Troy Brewer got a big increase in playing time. As the first player off the bench, Brewer took full advantage of the opportunity, leading Georgia with 15 points in 30 minutes of action.
“Troy played terrific. His opportunities have been limited this year, but when he’s been called on, he’s been ready to step up and play well. And he was a major part of this win tonight,” said Bulldogs head coach Dennis Felton.
“It’s all confidence and preparation,” said Brewer.
Ware added 10 points and six rebounds while playing 38 minutes. He was one of five Bulldogs to score in double figures. Albert Jackson had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“We believe Albert can be a fierce rebounder and we also want him to be a finisher inside,” said Felton.
Trey Thompkins had 14 points and six rebounds while Jeremy Price added 13 points and four rebounds.
The Bulldogs outscored Kennesaw State 28-16 in the paint and out-rebounded the Owls 42-30.
“We really take it upon ourselves as a post group to come out and dominate every group we play against,” said Albert Jackson.
Senior guard Corey Butler played all but a minute of the game, contributing four points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Spencer Dixon led Kennesaw State with 16 points. Zadrian Gibson added seven rebounds.
The Bulldogs continued their hot shooting, finishing the game 53 percent from the floor. Kennesaw State shot only 31 percent on the day.
The Bulldogs led by only 12 points, 64-52, with 2:52 remaining in the game, but finished the same way they started, on an 8-0 run that put the game away.
Georgia’s ninth win of the season came much easier than the 10th is expected to be, as the Bulldogs finish the non-conference schedule against Missouri and Georgia Tech before starting conference play against Tennessee on Jan. 10.
Wiley can be reached at dwiley@scoreatl.com.
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