University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
6-2
Virginia Tech
6-1
Georgia Beats Virginia Tech, 77-72, for Third-Straight Win
November 30, 2019 | Women's Basketball
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Behind three players who reached double figures in scoring, the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team defeated Virginia Tech, 77-72, Saturday afternoon at the Ocean Center.
Georgia hands the Hokies their first loss of the season and improves to 6-2 overall this year. Virginia Tech — a team that won 22 games last year — falls to 6-1. For the second consecutive day, Georgia defeated a team that advanced in postseason play during the 2018-19 campaign.
Junior guard Gabby Connally led Georgia with 22 points off a 7-of-12 shooting effort, including a perfect 7of-7 mark at the free-throw line. Redshirt-junior center Jenna Staiti added 16 points, while Que Morrison scored 10.
"This team grew up this week," head coach Joni Taylor said. "We challenged them all week to step up to the standard of Georgia basketball. We are not there yet, but give our players credit for taking a huge step in the right direction with two wins this week."
Georgia led 9-5 at the first media timeout as the Hokies picked up six team fouls in the first five minutes of action. The Lady Bulldogs went scoreless for nearly three minutes and shot just 26 percent (5-of-19) but still led 15-11 at the end of one quarter.
Virginia Tech used a 7-0 run to take a two-point advantage at 21-19 with 5:55 remaining before halftime. Back-to-back baskets from Malury Bates and Stephanie Paul halted the Hokie rally, but not for long. Dara Mabrey scored 10 points to finish the second quarter and gave her team a 33-29 lead at the break.
Staiti came alive in the third quarter, scoring eight points in the first six minutes to give the Lady Bulldogs a 47-42 lead with 4:55 to go in the third. Following a basket from Taja Cole, Georgia went on a 6-0 run, which included a basket from Staiti and a pair from Connally.
Staiti finished with 11 points in the third quarter as her team went to the final frame with a 55-49 lead. After the Lady Bulldogs added to their advantage, Virginia Tech's Aisha Sheppard knocked in a pair of 3-pointers to make it a 58-51 game in Georgia's favor.
Virginia Tech continued to climb back in the game, but a technical foul on Virginia Tech's Cole put Connally at the line with 58 seconds to go. Those free throws, followed by several more from teammates sealed the game for Georgia.
The Lady Bulldogs now hit the road to take on No. 2 Baylor this Wednesday.
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