Georgia had depended on its defense in the first four games of the NIT Season Tip-Off, but in the final game it was the Bulldogs’ offense that came alive thanks to the performances of two big freshmen to defeat Mississippi Valley State 98-57.
“Tonight was our best offensive game, obviously. We really stepped forward,” said head coach Dennis Felton.
Howard “Trey” Thompkins led the Bulldogs with 23 points and seven rebounds. Thompkins, who had been struggling with a foot injury, made his college debut Monday night against Santa Clara, scoring 10 points. But it was tonight that Thompkins showed off his potential.
“He’s [Thompkins] in horrible shape right now. He’s still playing on a foot that’s not nearly 100 percent and he’s gaining experience. The more Trey is back on the court, I expect him to get stronger and stronger. He comes in with a polished game and is a pretty special player offensively,” said Felton.
Thompkins admitted his second game was a little easier than his first.
“I decided to be comfortable and let the game come to me. Zach [Swansey] and Dustin [Ware] find you in spots you want to be found in and it’s up to you to make it happen,” said Thompkins.
Thompkins’ production wasn’t that big of a surprise, but the same can’t be said for Drazen Zlovaric, who added 16 points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Zlovaric had barely been playing, much less contributing.
“My teammates push me all the time. They are my biggest motivation and when coach left me in that gave me confidence as well,” said Zlovaric.
Early on it looked like Georgia was in for yet another close game as they led by only nine, 30-21, with 5:36 remaining in the first half. But a 16-5 run to end the half put the Bulldogs up 46-26. The run was capped off by a flurry of 3-pointers by both teams. Swansey hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Georgia up 43-23. Shannon Behling added a 3 for the Delta Devils and Thompkins ended the half with a triple of his own. The Bulldogs shot 43.8 percent from the 3-point line to the Delta Devils’ 22.7 percent.
Georgia shot 61 percent from the floor to 33.3 percent for MVSU. The Bulldogs also dominated their opponent on the boards for the first time this season, out-rebounding the Delta Devils 51 to 25.
Jeremy Price led Georgia with 10 rebounds and Eric Petty led MVSU with seven. Behling led the Delta Devils in scoring with 13 points.
After playing five games in the last nine days, the Bulldogs now have a week off before traveling to play Felton’s former team, Western Kentucky, on Dec. 2.
Wiley can be reached at dwiley@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
