ATHENS, Ga. _ This was a game Georgia basketball needed as badly as it has needed a game in some time. The players' confidence was shaken, the coach was under increasing fire, and the season was in danger of getting away.
The Bulldogs needed this one. And they got it, at least for now rescuing their season with an impressive win over Florida, 72-60.
It was a vital victory for UGA (13-8, 4-5), which came in having lost four of its past six. It left Stegeman Coliseum after posting an all-around effort it had lacked for weeks. Yante Maten (20 points, seven rebounds) led the way as usual, and the team got big performances from freshman Nicolas Claxton, point guard Turtle Jackson and others.
Claxton had a superb game off the bench, first by grabbing four offensive rebounds in the first half, then by showing his all-around game: He blocked several shots, nailed a 3 from the top of the key, and hit a key layup to put Georgia ahead in the second half. Claxton finished with a game-high eight rebounds to go along with five points.
Georgia rallied midway through the second half, after Florida had moved out to a 44-39 lead. Claxton hit a 3 from the top of the key, and then Jordan Harris made a driving layup to tie it at 48. As the Gators went cold shooting, the Bulldogs hit key shots, including a Maten hook shot while being fouled. He made the free throw, Georgia led 55-51, and didn't trail again.
It may be too early to call it a turning point, but UGA put itself back into NCAA Tournament consideration, getting another win over an RPI top 50 team. Florida (15-7, 6-3) entered ranked 38th. Georgia, which had fallen from the 40s down to 62, should now move up as it heads into the second half of the SEC schedule.
Chris Chiozza led Florida with 15 points and six assists.
