Hightower leads Georgia past Savannah State in Crean's debut
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Following his debut as Georgia's coach, Tom Crean already knew where his new team must improve.
''We've got to learn how play with a lead,'' Crean said.
Teshaun Hightower scored a career-high 18 points, Nicolas Claxton had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Georgia survived a slow start to the second half to beat Savannah State 110-76 on Friday night.
After leading by 25 points at halftime, Georgia's lead shrank to nine points early in the second half as Savannah State's frenzied 3-point assault began to pay off.
''Our energy dropped a little bit,'' Claxton said.
Following a missed jam by Georgia's Mike Edwards, Zaquavian Smith's 3 cut the Bulldogs' lead below 10 points, at 63-54, for the first time since the opening minutes.
William ''Turtle'' Jackson answered with a 3-pointer for Georgia, followed by Tye Fagan's three-point play, to push the advantage back to 15 points at 69-54. A jam by freshman Amanze Ngumezi with 4:46 remaining pushed the lead to 30 points for the first time at 96-66.
Crean said he was happy with the way his players responded to the mini-crisis.
''We weren't playing well and nobody panicked,'' Crean said.
Tyree Crump had 14 points, while making four 3-pointers, as Georgia (1-0) withstood 57 3-point shots by Savannah State (0-2). The Tigers made 17 3s.
''I've never coached against anything like this pace,'' Crean said.
Crean, the former Indiana and Marquette coach, is expected to raise Georgia from an also-ran in the Southeastern Conference. Former coach Mark Fox took Georgia to only two NCAA Tournaments in nine seasons.
Crean, who celebrated with fans in the students section following the game, couldn't have asked for a better start to his debut.
The Bulldogs scored the first 14 points of the game as Savannah State started off 0 for 12 from the field, including 0 for 8 on 3-pointers. Georgia led 59-34 at halftime.
Jahlin Smith led the Tigers with 20 points. Zaquavian Smith had 17.
Savannah State, playing only its third game against in-state rival Georgia, and its first since 2005, tested the Bulldogs by setting a fast pace. The Tigers, who led the nation in 3-point attempts and 12.2 3-pointers per game last season, continued their relentless long-range attack against Georgia.
''I've never played a team that shot the ball like that,'' Crump said. ''We expected it, but I've never seen it like that in my life.''
Crump said Crean remained calm when Georgia's lead began to shrink in the second half.
Crump said Crean's message was ''keep fighting, execute the offense. Everything will take care of itself.''
Crean has promised the Bulldogs also will spread the floor and rely heavily on 3s - though not at Savannah State's pace. Georgia made 11 of 27 3s.
BIG PICTURE
Savannah State: The Tigers rely on 3-pointers, and the results can be ugly when the shots aren't falling. Savannah State missed its first 12 shots from the field, including eight 3-pointers, while falling behind 14-0.
Georgia: The Bulldogs spread the floor and opened room for inside baskets early, including on back-to-back jams by Claxton to open the game. There was ample evidence the Georgia players are still learning Crean's offense. Bad passes played a big role in 23 turnovers.
STRONG START
Georgia's 59 first-half points were its most in a half since scoring 60 in the second half against Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2007, also a season-opener.
CAREER HIGHS
Claxton posted his first career double-double while setting career highs for points and rebounds. He set another high with five blocks.
UP NEXT
Savannah State: Host Middle Georgia on Sunday.
Georgia: At Temple on Tuesday night.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
0.0 | Â | End of period | Â | |
19:32 | Â | Personal foul on Zaquavian Smith | Â | |
18:43 | Â | Jaquan Dotson missed layup, blocked by Nicolas Claxton | Â | |
18:13 | Â | Personal foul on Tyrell Harper | Â | |
17:57 | Â | Shooting foul on John Grant Jr. | Â | |
17:05 | Â | Shooting foul on John Grant Jr. | Â | |
16:32 | Â | Zaquavian Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot | Â | |
15:59 | Â | Out of bounds turnover on Jordan Harris | Â | |
15:50 | +3 | Jahlin Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Zach Sellers | 3-14 | |
15:20 | Â | Shooting foul on E'Torrion Wilridge | Â | |
14:06 | Â | Lost ball turnover on Zaquavian Smith, stolen by Tyree Crump | Â | |
13:43 | +2 | Adam Saeed made layup | 8-16 | |
13:36 | Â | Tye Fagan missed 3-pt. jump shot | Â | |
13:34 | Â | Defensive rebound by Zach Sellers | Â | |
11:23 | Â | Shooting foul on Zach Sellers | Â | |
11:23 | +1 | Nicolas Claxton made 1st of 2 free throws | 13-26 | |
10:59 | Â | Personal foul on Romani Hansen | Â | |
9:38 | Â | Personal foul on Rayshaun Hammonds | Â | |
8:41 | Â | Offensive rebound by Jaquan Dotson | Â | |
7:04 | Â | Collins Joseph missed fade-away jump shot | Â | |
6:44 | Â | Personal foul on Derek Ogbeide | Â | |
3:33 | +3 | Jaquan Dotson made 3-pt. jump shot | 28-48 | |
3:16 | Â | Personal foul on Jaquan Dotson | Â | |
3:11 | Â | Personal foul on Tyrell Harper | Â | |
2:58 | Â | Personal foul on Jordan Harris | Â | |
2:46 | Â | Personal foul on Jahlin Smith | Â | |
53.0 | Â | Personal foul on Jordan Harris | Â | |
53.0 | Â | Bad pass turnover on Collins Joseph | Â | |
52.0 | +2 | Derek Ogbeide made layup | 31-59 | |
52.0 | Â | Shooting foul on Romani Hansen | Â | |
52.0 | Â | Derek Ogbeide missed free throw | Â | |
52.0 | Â | Defensive rebound by John Grant Jr. | Â | |
44.0 | Â | Personal foul on Ignas Sargiunas | Â | |
44.0 | Â | Personal foul on Jojo Toppin | Â | |
44.0 | Â | John Grant Jr. missed free throw | Â | |
44.0 | Â | Defensive rebound by Nicolas Claxton | Â | |
29.0 | Â | Offensive foul on Jojo Toppin | Â | |
29.0 | Â | Turnover on Jojo Toppin | Â | |
5.0 | +3 | Collins Joseph made 3-pt. jump shot | 34-59 |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
19:30 | Â | Offensive foul on Derek Ogbeide | Â | |
17:54 | Â | Shooting foul on Jaquan Dotson | Â | |
17:31 | Â | Shooting foul on Jaquan Dotson | Â | |
16:28 | Â | Offensive foul on Derek Ogbeide | Â | |
16:11 | Â | Personal foul on Derek Ogbeide | Â | |
15:36 | Â | Personal foul on Romani Hansen | Â | |
15:26 | Â | Out of bounds turnover on Jordan Harris | Â | |
15:06 | Â | Personal foul on Tyrell Harper | Â | |
14:07 | +3 | William Jackson II made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tye Fagan | 54-66 | |
13:43 | Â | Shooting foul on Adam Saeed | Â | |
12:19 | Â | Shooting foul on Tyrell Harper | Â | |
11:39 | Â | Offensive rebound by Jojo Toppin | Â | |
11:39 | Â | Personal foul on Jahlin Smith | Â | |
11:39 | +1 | Jojo Toppin made 1st of 2 free throws | 61-74 | |
9:02 | Â | Shooting foul on Jahlin Smith | Â | |
8:47 | Â | Offensive rebound by Jahlin Smith | Â | |
8:31 | Â | Personal foul on John Grant Jr. | Â | |
8:00 | Â | Personal foul on Jahlin Smith | Â | |
8:00 | +1 | Amanze Ngumezi made 1st of 2 free throws | 64-85 | |
7:41 | Â | Offensive foul on Nicolas Claxton | Â | |
6:37 | Â | Personal foul on Adam Saeed | Â | |
6:10 | Â | Personal foul on Nicolas Claxton | Â | |
4:48 | +2 | Amanze Ngumezi made dunk, assist by Teshaun Hightower | 66-96 |
Min. Per Game | ||
Pts. Per Game | ||
Ast. Per Game | ||
Reb. Per Game | ||
Field Goal % | ||
Three Point % | ||
Free Throw % |
+ 2 | Amanze Ngumezi made dunk, assist by Teshaun Hightower | 4:48 |
 | Personal foul on Nicolas Claxton | 6:10 |
 | Personal foul on Adam Saeed | 6:37 |
 | Offensive foul on Nicolas Claxton | 7:41 |
+ 1 | Amanze Ngumezi made 1st of 2 free throws | 8:00 |
 | Personal foul on Jahlin Smith | 8:00 |
 | Personal foul on John Grant Jr. | 8:31 |
 | Offensive rebound by Jahlin Smith | 8:47 |
 | Shooting foul on Jahlin Smith | 9:02 |
+ 1 | Jojo Toppin made 1st of 2 free throws | 11:39 |
 | Personal foul on Jahlin Smith | 11:39 |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Points | 0 | 0 |
Field Goals | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
3-Pointers | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
Free Throws | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
Total Rebounds | 0 | 0 |
Offensive | 0 | 0 |
Defensive | 0 | 0 |
Team | 0 | 0 |
Assists | 0 | 0 |
Steals | 0 | 0 |
Blocks | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fouls | 0 | 0 |
Technicals | 0 | 0 |
|
Team Stats | |||
---|---|---|---|
Savannah State 0-1 | 76.1 PPG | 42.4 RPG | 14.9 APG |
Georgia 1-0 | 71.1 PPG | 41.4 RPG | 13.2 APG |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |