Georgia basketball buries Buffalo from the opening tip in home blowout

Posted by author December 20, 2024 Basketball

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Georgia basketball is finishing up its nonconference schedule with “buy” games in Stegeman Coliseum to tune up for what should be a gauntlet ahead in SEC competition.

The Bulldogs overwhelmed Buffalo from the start in Thursday night’s 100-49 shellacking.

The visitors got $90,000 for their troubles and Georgia notched its 25^th straight win against nonconference opponents at home.

De’Shayne Montgomery shared the lead for Georgia in scoring with 16 in his Georgia debut. Freshman Asa Newell also had 16 to go along with six rebounds despite deciding to play before tipoff while dealing with a minor injury.

Here are three takeaways for a Bulldogs team that improved to 10-1 :

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Georgia got a quality win over Grand Canyon last Saturday in Atlanta in its last game, but the team wasn’t thrilled with the showing in a five-point victory.

The Bulldogs started this one against the Bulls (5-6) like they were still mad.

Georgia raced out to a 23-0 lead with Silas Demary hitting his first five shots including three from 3-point range. He finished with 13 points.

To put that 23-0 start in context, the NCAA record for a lead to start a game against a Division I opponent is 32-0 by UConn against New Hampshire on Dec. 12, 1990.

Tyrin Lawrence and Blue Cain buried 3s in the first 86 seconds and Georgia didn’t let up much. It led 56-19 at the half.

“Our shot selection was really good,” Georgia coach Mike White said. “I was proud of the selflessness and the way the ball moved.”

Center Somto Cyril finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.

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De’Shayne Montgomery makes splashy debut

With 12:02 to go in the first half, DeShayne Montgomery stepped onto the floor for the first time for Georgia.

His debut didn’t disappoint.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Montgomery scored nine points in less than four minutes including a pair of 3s and finished with 16 on 6-of-8 shooting in 20 minutes. He was 3 of 5 on 3s.

Asked if he thought he’d put up those kind of numbers in his first Georgia game, he quickly replied: “Yeah. I know the work I put in with myself and coach (Anthony) Goins. I put it on display.”

Montgomery also helped Georgia’s defense force a shot clock violation on his first defensive possession.

The Mount St. Mary’s transfer was cleared this week to play after being academically ineligible to start the season.

He added a 3-pointer and drove for a slam in one second-half stretch.

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Wins by Georgia and Texas Thursday moved the SEC to an eye-popping 157-20 so far this season.

With games ahead for Georgia against Charleston Southern on Sunday and South Carolina State on Dec. 29, the Bulldogs should head into SEC play at 12-1.

The Bulldogs are projected to go 20-11 overall and 8-10 in the SEC by BartTorvik.com.

Mississippi State made the NCAA tournament last year with an 8-10 SEC record. Could a 7-11 team get in this season?

“It wouldn’t surprise me at all,” White said. “I would think all 16 teams in our league right now have a chance. …There’s so many quality opportunities in league play. Moreso than I’ve seen ever.”

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had 13 SEC teams in the field in his latest projection.

The Bulldogs are safety in that mock bracket as a No. 8 seed.

Georgia last played in the NCAA tournament in 2015.

(This story was updated to add new information.)