Georgia rolls past South Carolina for 20th win

Staff Reports, Photos by Kameron Taylor

ATHENS — The formula was crisp ball movement, balanced scoring and a home crowd ready to celebrate more than just a win.

The result was another milestone.

Georgia defeated South Carolina 87-68 on Saturday afternoon at Stegeman Coliseum, securing the Bulldogs’ third consecutive 20-win season — a feat accomplished only twice before in program history.

The Bulldogs (20-9, 8-8 SEC) never trailed against the Gamecocks (12-17, 3-13), delivering one of their most complete offensive performances of the season.

“It’s a good win for us,” Georgia head coach Mike White said. “I thought our turnout was nice, to celebrate our seniors and our non-seniors. Overall, it was a good atmosphere. South Carolina was really good offensively in the first half and early second half and made it really interesting. Any win in the SEC is big, and those guys are really capable.”

Jeremiah Wilkinson led Georgia with 18 points, marking his fourth straight game in double figures. The sophomore guard has emerged as a steady scoring presence during the stretch run.

“For me, it’s everything I could ask for,” Wilkinson said. “This is exactly what I wanted when I chose to come to Georgia — playing at home, having a chance to go deep in the tournament and be around great guys. I love playing with this group, and the fact that there’s high stakes on every game doesn’t scare me. It’s exactly what I want.”

Five Bulldogs finished in double figures.

Somto Cyril added 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, Kareem Stagg posted a career-high 11, and Marcus “Smurf” Millender and Justin Bailey chipped in 10 points each. Georgia’s bench production proved pivotal, outscoring South Carolina’s reserves 43-22.

“I mean, it’s really just a stay ready mentality,” freshman forward Jake Wilkins said. “Always trying to be ready when your number’s called. Really just staying locked into what the coaches are saying. When you stay ready, you’ll play good.”

Georgia’s offensive efficiency stood out. The Bulldogs dished out 23 assists to just six turnovers — a rare ratio in SEC play.

“You’re not going to get that most nights in the SEC,” White said. “I liked our level of unselfishness. We passed it really well.”

When South Carolina threatened early in the second half, a driving layup by Blue Cain ignited a 10-0 Georgia run with 8:48 remaining. Bailey followed with a pair of free throws and a layup to stretch the lead to 16 and effectively put the game out of reach.

Cain matched his career high with eight assists, while Millender added six as Georgia dominated in multiple statistical categories. The Bulldogs outscored the Gamecocks in the paint (40-28), in assists (23-9), in fast-break points (22-2), in bench points (43-22) and in blocks (8-0).

The victory marks Georgia’s 16th 20-win season overall and just the sixth time the Bulldogs have reached that mark during the regular season. It also continues the program’s most sustained stretch of success since the 2014-16 campaigns.

Georgia will close out the regular season at home Tuesday against Alabama. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN News.

With postseason positioning at stake and momentum building, Wilkinson made it clear the stakes are welcome.

“High stakes on every game,” he said. “That’s exactly what I want.”