Box Score
Georgia Bulldogs
Tennessee Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. - The 1-2 punch of Tennessee's Wayne Chism and Chris Lofton enabled the Vols to knock out yet another victory Saturday afternoon.
"Road wins are sweet,'' coach Bruce Pearl said. "I'm not going to come to Georgia and get a road win and complain about it.''
The fourth-ranked Vols (23-2, 10-1 SEC) played just well enough for a 74-71 SEC basketball victory over the upset-minded Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum.
Chism scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half while Lofton heated up for 19 of his 22 in the second.
The Bulldogs (12-11, 3-7) had a chance to force overtime after Tyler Smith missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw situation with 6.2 seconds left and the Vols up 74-71.
After the miss, Lofton raced over to foul Sundiata Gaines, as instructed by Pearl, putting the Georgia star at the free-throw line for a one-and-one with 2.7 seconds left.
Gaines, who scored 23 points, dished out eights assists and recorded three steals, missed his first free throw intentionally, rebounded the ball, and raced to the corner to attempt the potential game-tying 3-point shot at the buzzer.
The shot bounded off, giving the Vols their seventh consecutive victory and their eighth in a row over Georgia.
The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half and were down 74-67 when Lofton hit his sixth and final 3-pointer with 3:45 left.
"Chris Lofton willed this win,'' Pearl said. "Chris Lofton put this team on his shoulders with his offense in the second half and made shots.
"He was bound and determined we were not going to leave this building without a victory, and he saw to that.''
Lofton hit 7 of 9 shots in the second half - including 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
"I got in a rhythm at the beginning of the second half,'' Lofton said. "I got great open looks and it just kept happening.''
Georgia, playing with only eight scholarship players, aligned itself in a 2-3 zone from start to finish.
"We have not seen 40 minutes of zone on the road in three years,'' Pearl said. "We had really good looks. (Usually,) when people go zone Chris and JaJuan (Smith) will shoot them out of it.''
But with Lofton and Smith making only 1 of 7 3-point shots between them in the first half, it was up to Chism to elevate his game.
"I was the man in the open spot,'' said Chism, who made 5 of 6 shots in the first half and finished with nine rebounds and three blocked shots. "So they were getting it to me, and I had to step up.''
Pearl said he was thrilled with Chism's effort.
"Wayne was terrific; he was the only one we had that could get to them inside,'' Pearl said. "Wayne really separated himself. He was the best big man on the floor.''
Tyler Smith was down on himself despite posting his fourth double-double this season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
"It was physical, and I wasn't going in there doing what I do best, which is make plays,'' said Smith, who had six assists and two blocked shots. "Give credit to Wayne and Chris. Wayne manned up and we got the ball to him … Chris made the big shots.''
JaJuan Smith, who scored 32 points in a win over Arkansas on Wednesday, matched his season low with two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
"I just had a bad game,'' he said. "That was it, just a bad game.''
Lofton, who was held to six points and no 3-pointers against the Razorbacks, said that's just the way it goes sometimes.
"This is what a team is,'' Lofton said. "Nobody is going to play good every night.
"We haven't really played our best basketball yet. There's still lots of room for improvement.''
UT plays Auburn at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Thompson-Boling Arena. The Tigers (13-10, 3-7) beat Ole Miss, 90-78, Saturday.
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Comments » 85
bshell12 writes:
not a big fan of the foul at the end of the game, thats a good way to end up getting beat. Gaines was just about 3/4 court when we fouled him the best shot he could get would be a rushed three. If he makes that first free throw, then misses the second they could have gotten the rebound like the did and 2.7 seconds if enough time to make a pass and get a good look.
Good win against a zone defense, thanks C LO!!!!!
rkastens writes:
An SEC win on the road is always a tough win. When you play the Vols you have to pick your poison. It's great to see the options UT can throw at opponents. If the players don't start thinking about how great they are, this team could do amazing things.
txsvol#372416 writes:
The current Sports Illustrated talks about the Dribble-Drive-Motion (DDM) offense invented by Vance Walberg, which has been adopted by John Calipari at Tiger High. Let's invoke the SI jinx one more time next Saturday! (Not overlooking Auburn's visit to the Hill next Wednesday.) Go Vols! SAVol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
La Bomb. Beat Auburnisky.
pms151 writes:
Most coaches would have tried to eat some time in the end but not Pearl. Hell no! Keep the Dawgs on the run until the end. Hell yes! Go Vols Go!
volfan8 writes:
An SEC road win.. enough said. Solid win on the road, surprised Georiga stayed in the zone all day long, especially with Chris carving them up in the second half.
none the less, trap game with Auburn, then the big one with Memphis. Take care of business against Auburn first, id rather have a banner in TBA than a loss to Auburn and victory vs UM. One game at a time, and well see Memphis in March/April again
girdle1998#233171 writes:
bshell the odds are better that he'll make a three than for what you said "could happen". Buzz Peterson lost several close games in which we allowed a 3 at the end to tie and send it to OT. Had someone blocked out the shooter on the missed freethrow, then the foul looks better. I think it is the right move.
dkerr#270212 writes:
That's a good win!
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
It is very hard to win on the road in the SEC, way to go Vols. Keep up the good work.
schymtz writes:
Dodged a bullet in each of the last two road games. Georgia sure caught a second wind! BP had a good post-game show. Time to get back to Knoxville.
bshell12 writes:
Why put yourself in a situation where you can lose, when if he makes the three you are still tied
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
definitely the right move to foul with 2-3 seconds left. ga would have to do three things right to win. (hit the first free throw-miss the second-get the rebound and put it in versus hitting a three with tn not being able to play tight d.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
gotta love BP---hes rarely satisfied and happy--on post game show hes not happy with the defense, totally frustrated we generally dont finish around basket and girdle you right , hes not happy Gaines didnt get blocked out at end----hes not even thinking about Memphis now, he wants that SEC banner first and foremost
fundamentals83 writes:
Okay, I'll be the first.. Anyone notice Teddy Valentine was one of the officials today? I expected more drama from the zebras but thankfully I was wrong.
GerryOP writes:
23-2! What more is there to say? I do not think that this team will go all of the way, but, WOW! What an exciting ride!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
WHEW , great win vols .
stroker writes:
bshell12 me and pearl thought the foul was a good play.
mdvol writes:
Survive and advance. Another case of playing to their level of competition. LSU now GA. Auburn will be closer than we want but look out next Saturday!
vol1994 writes:
Posted by GerryOP on February 16, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
23-2! What more is there to say? I do not think that this team will go all of the way, but, WOW! What an exciting ride
---------------------
How far do you think we will go?
Yes there is a lot of ball left, regular season, SEC tourny, then the pairings for March madness but just for kicks.. How far do you think vols will go? thanks
Huntingdonvol writes:
Wayne Chism!!!!!!!Enough said.
1974Vol writes:
When you're the best team in the conference you get evryone's best game especially when playing on the road. If the Dawg's played that well all the time they would be in the hunt instead of trying to stay out of the celler. Huge game next sat. as everyone knows.
1974Vol writes:
Vol 1994 that all depends on what bracket they draw. They will win SEC tourney and probably a sure think to get to sweet 16. Then it comes down to who you draw. If we get teams who like it up tempo we win. If we get a bunch of big bangers who want a 1/2 court game with a score in the 60's it may be tough. If we get to the final 4, I like our chances against teams like Kansas, Duke and UCLA who like to run, better than UNC or some of the Big East teams who play a 1/2 court game. Memphis game will tell us where Vols are in scheme of things.
GreerVol22 writes:
Definately the right call at the end to foul. Play the percentages. Good enough D at the end but will need more against the Tiggers.
bshone#598776 writes:
Take care of business Wednesday. BEAT MEMPHIS SATURDAY.
bshell12 writes:
Yeah but if we foul and they end up winning then you all would be saying dang what was pearl thinking doing what he did why in the world would you foul
MrBamSeydu writes:
it's not time to talk about Memphis yet, don't overlook Auburn (they just beat Ole Miss).
stroker writes:
bshell12 you've got too many suppositions, me and pearl thought it would work like it did.
snowvol writes:
Great teams find ways to win games like this. And it's a helluva lot better coming out on top no matter how much you think we should have won by. Just ask Georgetown today (losing to SU).
bsvolfan#325031 writes:
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VOTE FOR LOFTON EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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http://www.seniorclassaward.com/VOTEL...
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King30 writes:
It was Ramar that didn't box out on the final free throw. He just stood there while Gaines charged in. Little things matter. Gotta keep our heads in the game at all times.
Now to really gripe... Did y'all see how many times Bliss shoved Chism and Tyler in the back to go after rebounds? He should have fouled out about four times. Once again, SEC officiating is suspect. But, I've noticed it all around the NCAA this year. The officials in College BB just suck.
Sweet rebound/touch pass from JP to Tyler in the first half.
23-2 baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
King30 writes:
I SAID IT'S GREAT TO BE......................................................................................................................................................................................................
txvolsfan writes:
GO VOLS!!!!
Great Win.
Let do a double Tiger this week
TXVOLSFAN
lnbadger320 writes:
we need to understand that every team that we play aware are going to be jacked up to play. GA was just that. they were playing good. Gaines hit a lot of trash threes that wouldn't have gone in against a team like bama or SC. he just had a good game against us. anytime you play an sec road game it's going to be really tough. it was a good win, more road experiance is what we need.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
inbadger, thats a rediculous comment---what exactly is a "trash" 3 and what makes their 3s trashier than out own--and to say the same shot wouldnt have fallen against another team just leaves me shaking my head and laughing over that comment---some koolaiders really have to stretch to avoid giving any credit/respect to the other team/player
pdhuff#552644 writes:
beat the Plainsmen.
james#216392 writes:
I shook my head when I read that he missed the first free throw intentionally. He missed it but I think he was trying to make it. You then miss the second. Tennessee own free throw shooting came close to doing them in. If Tyler makes the free throw, its over. If the Vols don't improve their free throw shooting, they won't get far in the tourney. You have to close out games with the free throws.
FatherVol writes:
Is Candace Parker not a senior? Forgive my ignorance, but I just voted for C-Lo fo Senior Class Player of the Year (he leads, BTW) and went to vote for the women's candidate but there was no Candace Parker. Is she only a junior?
FatherVol writes:
Holy Hannah! Memphis is down by 4 with less than 5 minutes to play. UAB is giving them a real run for their money and has led most of the game except for about 94 seconds early in the 2nd half. We need Memphis to win tonight.
orangeblood writes:
bshell....was the shot he took not a rushed three??? it was a great call
pdhuff#552644 writes:
UAB up by 5, but 3:00 to go. Surely the Tigers will pull this one out. Zander is on a ledge somewhere.
GerryOP writes:
Vol1994, if I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't be sitting here on a Saturday night! Seriously, 1974Vol gave a pretty good answer. I would guess Sweet 16 is highly probable, but Elite 8 a tossup. I think teams like UCLA and UNC (ugh) would give us trouble. Georgetown also would present a challenge. (I like the Hoyas as the tourney dark horse.) As Vol1994 said, we should have a better idea a week from tonight.
GreerVol22 writes:
bshell is the kind of guys that drinks sweet tea thru a straw.
Pearl gets paid well to make that call. Nuff said.
Madkels writes:
King30..you're right. I was at the game and saw some home cooking by the ref's. There at the end, Bliss shoved like crazy and didn't get called under our basket. GA played a great game and gave us all we could handle. I'll take the win. Hope we score more than 3 points in the final 3:45 of future games though. If we hit our FF's, we will beat Memphis. They were under 50% from the line against UAB! GO VOLS!
utchris writes:
Memphis has been letting their opponents shoot a lot of uncontested three's the past few weeks. I hope they continue that trend next Sat. If so, I hope Lofton and JaJuan make them pay dearly.
Did anyone see a couple of the Memphis players try to go back on the court to fight the UAB fans? Wow.
utchris writes:
Ok, maybe I would have tried to fight also, they student section was apparently throwing bottles at them. Memphis media is saying that one of the Tigers post player may have suffered a broken nose as a result of being struck in the face by a whiskey bottle.
tigervol9802 writes:
Only problem I had today was Chism taking yet another three with under two minutes to go in a close game. I really wish he'd at least be given a caution light instead of a green one, especially late in games.
However, they attack a zone defense about as well as I have have ever seen a college team attack one.
The foul at the end was great basketball. I didn't know if it was a decision by Lofton or by Pearl at the time, but that is smart basketball.
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
I give a lot of respect to UGA. They fought their hearts out. Tennessee is just a better team in the end. Not only is it tough to play on the road, but we are getting every team's best effort. Lofton keeps saying that he and the team has not had their best game yet. If hes right then when they do hit on all cylinders it could be scary. Wayne Chism is a star in the making. Conrgrats CBP and the Vols on another win!
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
JUST GIVE #5 THE BALL!!!!
LargeOrange writes:
I listened to the game in my car to the GA network in Atlanta, and it sounded like great game, the GA announcers BTW, thought the foul at the end was brilliant. I am watching the DVR replay right now and I can't believe Chism. What a game for him, two blocks in a row just now in the paint and free throws and a ton of first half offense, man I am not a Chism fan, but he has picked it up a ton over the last few weeks! What a win in Athens. Go Big Orange!
girdle1998#233171 writes:
bshell, think about it. Gaines missed more freethrows today than he did desperation 3's. He was 2-3 on those!(including the last shot) I, for one, did not want to see another, and if he had been blocked out after the f/t, I would have not had to see another. To me, that was the mistake. And on the road, dont ever play for the tie if you're up.
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