Georgia beats LIU in Stegeman Coliseum, prepares for Auburn

ATHENS — The thing about momentum is that it doesn’t always arrive wrapped in dominance.

Sometimes it shows up disguised as discomfort, as a game that refuses to behave, as a reminder that winning — especially this time of year — can be as much about learning as it is about scoring.

That was Georgia on Monday night.

The No. 23-ranked Georgia Bulldogs shook off a sluggish first half and dominated the moments that mattered most, pulling away from LIU for a 89-74 victory in their final non-conference game at Stegeman Coliseum. The win pushed Georgia to 12–1, extended its home winning streak to 11 games, and sent the Bulldogs into SEC play with questions answered — and a few newly raised.

For much of the first half, Georgia looked uncomfortable. LIU’s length, shot-blocking, and defensive switching clogged driving lanes and slowed the Bulldogs’ rhythm. Georgia trailed for most of the opening period and spent more time reacting than dictating.

A free throw from Somto Cyril tied the game at 27 with just under seven minutes left in the half, briefly steadying Georgia. A 3-pointer by Blue Cain and a dunk from Jake Wilkins followed, trimming the deficit to three by halftime and keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance despite an uneven performance.

That breathing room proved enough.

Georgia emerged from the locker room sharper and more decisive, and midway through the second half delivered the stretch that defined the night. A 13–0 run — sparked by free throws from Justin Bailey and punctuated by 3-pointers from Bailey and Marcus “Smurf” Millender — gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game and finally flipped control.

From there, Georgia didn’t look back.

Millender finished with 14 points to lead the Bulldogs, Cain added 13, and Bailey scored 12 as Georgia leaned on balance, patience and timely stops rather than overwhelming offense. The Bulldogs held LIU to just 22 points in the second half.

Coach Mike White didn’t mistake survival for perfection.

“We found a way to win (after) we were down 11,” White said. “Could have gone either way. Made some plays in the mid second half. I thought our bench played really well, strung together some stops, which allowed us to catch up and then build a lead.”

White was equally candid about what troubled his team early, crediting LIU’s defensive versatility and rim protection for disrupting Georgia’s flow.

“They switched, got us a little stagnant,” White said. “We spent a lot of time preparing for it, and it had us overthinking a little bit. They were the best team we’ve played in transition offense, and they handled our pressure really well.”

Still, White called LIU the best mid-major Georgia has faced this season and said the experience may prove valuable as the Bulldogs enter conference play.

“It was not our best performance,” he said. “But maybe we can learn from it and grow from it.”

Georgia’s players see it that way.

“Coming off a win is always good going into the next game,” Millender said. “It’s momentum going into SEC play. We’re super excited.”

Bailey agreed, while acknowledging the work ahead.

“Communication,” he said. “Defense. Doing the little things. If we can get in transition, the points get easier. But it starts on defense.”

Georgia won’t have long to test how well those lessons stick. The Bulldogs open SEC play at home against Auburn Tigers on Jan. 1, where imperfections tend to be exposed quickly.