The Georgia Bulldogs ran their record to 4-0 on Tuesday night when they beat the Montana Grizzlies (0-4) 63-50 in a game in which both teams looked a tad ragged.
Homestanding Georgia was led by Toumani Camara who had a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Andrew Garcia had 13 points off the bench.
The Bulldogs' Sahvir Wheeler came into the game having scored in double digits in points and assists -- his 10.7 assists per game led the nation. But against the Grizzlies, he was held to nine points and five assists.
Kyle Owens was the top scorer for Montana with 17 points. Eddy Egun added 11 points.
Both teams had trouble hanging onto the basketball as Montana turned the ball over 20 times while Georgia had 18 turnovers.
The Bulldogs controlled the boards as they out rebounded Montana 49-30.
The Bulldogs got off to a fast start as they led 19-5 at the 14:42 mark. But Georgia suddenly went cold, scoring just two points over the next nine-plus minutes. Montana, meanwhile, heated up and cut the score to 23-20 with 6:39 left in the half.
Missed shots and turnovers by both teams marked the final minutes of the half but Georgia headed to the break with a 32-24 lead.
Owens of Montana led all scorers in the first half with 10 points. Justin Kier led the Bulldogs with nine. Montana had 13 turnovers and Georgia 10 in the first 20.
Georgia outscored the Griz 9-2 to start the second half and from there stayed comfortably out front.
Georgia on Tuesday was one of six teams in the SEC with unbeaten records.
Montana's 2020 season has been one of heartache. In its two previous games, both against Southern Utah, the Grizzlies suffered one-point losses after holding double-digit leads in both.
Next up for the Bulldogs will be a Saturday game against Samford.
The Big Sky Conference's Montana will be back in action on Dec. 16 when they take on the Washington Huskies of the Pac-12.
--Field Level Media
Montana | Georgia | |
Kyle Owens 17 | Scoring | Toumani Camara 15 |
Cameron Parker 5 | Assists | Sahvir Wheeler 5 |
Michael Steadman 8 | Rebounds | Toumani Camara 17 |
Kyle Owens 5 | Free Throws Made | Andrew Garcia 3 |
Brandon Whitney 2 | Steals | Toumani Camara 3 |
Michael Steadman 3 | Blocks | Andrew Garcia 2 |