ATHENS — Anthony Edwards recorded a double-double with 29 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to lead Georgia past Texas A&M 63-48 on Saturday,
The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak.
Edwards had eight points in a 15-6 run to open the second half, giving Georgia (12-9, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) its first double-digit lead. He added a breakaway power jam with less than three minutes remaining, stretching the lead to 59-42.
Wendell Mitchell led Texas A&M (10-10, 4-4) with 13 points. The Aggies’ streak of three straight SEC road wins was snapped.
It was Edwards’ second career double-double — and his second in as many games. He had 23 points and 10 rebounds in Georgia’s 72-69 loss at Missouri on Tuesday night.
Dismal shooting by the Aggies helped the Bulldogs overcome 14 first-half turnovers to lead 24-21 at halftime. Texas A&M shot only 20% from the field for the game, making 19 of 59 shots. The Aggies made only 8 of 32 shots (25%) from the field in the half, often wasting opportunities following steals or Georgia miscues.
A drive to the basket by Edwards gave Georgia a 22-21 lead, and Sahvir Wheeler’s layup before time expired pushed the advantage to three points at 24-21.
Edwards sank two 3-pointers and added a reverse layup as the Bulldogs opened the second half with a 15-6 run, stretching their lead to 39-27.
Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams called two timeouts in less than 90 seconds in attempts to slow Georgia’s momentum.
Texas A&M’s Quenton Jackson fouled out with 10:06 remaining in the game, only seven seconds after collecting his fourth foul. Williams had a substitute at the scorer’s table in an attempt to pull Jackson off the court. Jackson had seven points.
BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M: The Aggies couldn’t duplicate their dominant 46-21 rebounding advantage in Tuesday night’s 63-58 win at Tennessee. The advantage on the boards enabled Texas A&M to overcome 30% shooting against the Vols, and the woeful shooting, especially on long-range shots, continued against the Bulldogs. ... Andre Gordon had 10 points.
Georgia: Wheeler, who originally signed with Texas A&M, had nine points, five assists and six turnovers. Wheeler, from Houston, was released from his scholarship with the Aggies after former coach Billy Kennedy was fired. ... Georgia committed turnovers on its first two possessions before managing to take a shot and had 20 giveaways for the game.
30 YEARS LATER
Georgia celebrated the 30-year anniversary of its 1990 SEC title — still the school’s only regular-season conference championship. Former coach Hugh Durham said second-year coach Tom Crean is off to a good start in recruiting. Durham added “it takes more than one” top recruit and said Edwards lacks the supporting cast that another top national recruit, Dominique Wilkins, enjoyed in the early 1980s.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M: The Aggies return home to play Missouri on Tuesday night.
Georgia: The Bulldogs play at Florida on Wednesday night.
