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Georgia Basketball: Yante Maten leads the Bulldogs past USC Upstate

By Richard Gnann

ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 04: A cheerleader cheers on the Georgia Bulldogs during their basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Stegeman Coliseum on January 4, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 04: A cheerleader cheers on the Georgia Bulldogs during their basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Stegeman Coliseum on January 4, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Behind stellar play from star player Yante Maten, Georgia basketball was able to take care of USC-Upstate in what was a very competitive game.

The Georgia basketball team avoided an early season embarrassment with a 74-65 come from behind win over a solid USC-Upstate basketball team on Nov. 14.

The Bulldogs opened the game playing five minutes of splendid basketball to lead 13-2 at the under-16 minute timeout. While Georgia struggled to get things going during the next stretch of minutes, the Spartans attacked from long-range and tied the game up at 15.

The Spartans eventually led by five points late in the second half. With 8 minutes to play in the game, Georgia basketball head coach Mark Fox found the secret sauce needed to defeat the Spartans.

Inserting 6’8” athletic big man Mike Edwards and the lanky 6’ 5” freshman point guard Teshaun Hightower in the game with veterans Yante Maten, Turtle Jackson and freshman Rayshaun Hammonds, Georgia began switching on every USC-Upstate screen. This defensive adjustment put a halt to the Spartans’ hot shooting from 3-point land. Two minutes later, the Dogs found the night’s late-game hero.

With the Georgia basketball team trailing by 5, Hammonds knocked in consecutive 3-point baskets before a fast-break layup. The Dogs gave up only one point during the ensuing four Spartan possessions and Pre-Season SEC Player of the Year Yante Maten added two free throws. Jackson and Maten closed out the game at the free throw line, allowing the 5,300 attendees dressed red and black to lean back and relax.

Although Jackson is asserting himself at the point early in the season, scoring 13 and dishing out 4 assists with no turnovers, the Georgia backcourt is underperforming. The Bulldog guards turned the ball over 8 times and the team a total of 16 times. Aside from Jackson, no Georgia guards scored more than 4 points.

The Dogs desperately need guard Jordan Harris to do whatever he needs to do to avoid the “coach’s decision” that has sidelined him so far this season. The Dogs also need fifth-year senior Juwan Parker to overcome his injury limitations and play more than the 11 minutes he recorded Tuesday.

In the frontcourt, Maten registered another double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Jackson and Hammonds each scored 13 and Derek Ogbeide claimed 6 rebounds to go with his 6 points.

The Bulldogs shot a disturbing 50% from the free throw line in the first half. Led by Maten’s 9-for-9 free throw performance, Georgia shot 75% in the second half to finish with a 71% shooting night.

Next: SEC Basketball Opening Weekend Review

This game may have been more challenging than expected for Georgia basketball, but they were still able to come away with the victory. Yante Maten continues to show why he is one of the best players in the nation as he was a force inside.

The Bulldogs welcome Texas A&M Corpus Christi into the Stegeman Coliseum for their next game on Nov. 19.

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