Georgia defeats Long Island 89-74

Georgia Rolls Past Long Island in Thrilling 15-Point Comeback Victory

In a back-and-forth contest that saw both teams battle through a rollercoaster of emotions, the Georgia Bulldogs (HOME) emerged victorious over the Long Island Blackbirds (AWAY), 89-74. The win marks a significant step forward for a young and improving UGA squad.

The game's primary storyline was undoubtedly the Bulldogs' impressive comeback from a three-point deficit at halftime. Trailing 41-44, Georgia dug deep and found new life in the second half, outscoring Long Island 48-30 to take a commanding 15-point lead. The Blackbirds never fully recovered, managing only to cut the deficit to eight points before the final buzzer sounded.

Georgia's offense was led by Marcus Millender, who poured in 14 points on 3-4 three-point shooting and an impressive 44.4% field goal percentage. Kareem Stagg provided a sturdy complement with 9 rebounds and 9 points, while Millender added six assists to round out the stat sheet.

For Long Island, Greg Gordon was the standout performer, netting 20 points on an efficient 62.5% shooting clip from the field. Jomo Goings chipped in with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 points, but his team ultimately came up short.

The game's advanced statistics told a similar story to the box score, with Georgia's strong offensive efficiency (54.0 eFG%) offset by Long Island's subpar performance from beyond the arc (23.0% 3PT). The Bulldogs also outrebounded their opponents, 40-38, and had a slight edge in points in the paint.

This win marks a crucial non-conference victory for Georgia, which moves one step closer to a strong résumé ahead of conference play. While Long Island's Blackbirds showed flashes of brilliance, they ultimately fell short against a more seasoned opponent.