ATHENS — Sophomore Caliya Robinson dropped 12 second-half points to boost the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team to a 67-62 win over Furman on Monday night at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia (6-3) trailed 38-31 after two quarters before coming out of the locker room to hit 50 percent from the floor in the second half, going inside the paint for 16 of its 24 points. The defense in return kept the Paladin to 25 percent for the half while forcing 11 turnovers
“We talked before the game that Furman is a really good team, very well coached and that they were going to come out here tonight and give us their best shot,” Georgia head coach Joni Taylor said. “Our girls buckled down in the third and fourth quarter, got the ball inside and responded, so I am proud of that.”
Robinson finished the night 20 points and 10 rebounds, giving her three double-doubles on the year. The Marietta, Georgia, native has now scored in double figures in 12-consecutive games dating back to last season.
Redshirt senior Pachis Roberts recorded her seventh double-figure scoring game with 12 while junior Mackenzie Engram tabbed her fifth with 11. Junior Haley Clark added eight points with a team-best six assists to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Georgia put up an early 9-2 advantage before Roberts put the Lady Bulldogs up 17-11 after hitting her second 3-pointer; however, Furman hit five of its last eight field goals to cut the Georgia lead to 17-15 after one quarter.
Furman continued to streak in the second, using a 10-0 run to pull ahead 30-22. Georgia closed the gap to two points, but late free throws and a buzzer-beater basket led Furman to a 38-31 halftime lead.
The Lady Dogs held Furman to just two made field goals in the third, as a 9-0 run by Georgia knotted it at 40 each halfway through the frame before heading into the fourth trailing 48-44. Momentum stayed with Georgia in the final quarter, as a 6-0 rally gave Georgia a 53-51 lead with 6:50 remaining. The home team remained on a roll, as late free throws helped Georgia en route to the win.
The Lady Bulldogs get a break from action for final exams before returning to the court December 15 at Cincinnati. The game is set for a noon tipoff.
