ATHENS, Ga. — In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Georgia’s freshman forward Asa Newell played a pivotal role in his team’s performance, scoring 12 of his total 17 points in the second half. The Bulldogs managed to secure a victory over the sixth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, finishing the game with a score of 82-69, marking their first triumph over a top-10 opponent in five years.
In addition to Newell’s contributions, Georgia saw solid scoring from Blue Cain, who added 15 points, and Silas Demary Jr. with 14 points, leading the team to an impressive 13-2 season record and 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference. For Kentucky, Lamont Butler was the standout player, leading his team with 20 points.
Kentucky encountered significant challenges with foul troubles during the game, which hampered their ability to maintain a competitive edge. Amari Williams was sidelined early in the second half with four fouls, while teammates Andrew Carr and Ansley Almonor also struggled with foul issues later in the game. In a somewhat disappointing performance, Otega Oweh managed to score 12 points, but struggled with his shooting, hitting just 3 of 13 attempts from the field.
This game showcased the stark contrast in performance for Kentucky, who previously averaged a remarkable 90.2 points per game and had scored over 100 points in five contests. Georgia, on the other hand, was seeking redemption after a long wait since their last victory over a top-10 team, which was a narrow 65-62 win against No. 9 Memphis back in January 2020.
A turning point in the game came when Newell hit a crucial 3-pointer, propelling Georgia’s lead back to 10 points at 64-54. Kentucky had been narrowing the gap, pulling within five points at 55-50 at one moment, but Newell’s shot shifted the momentum back in favor of the Bulldogs. Following a turnover by Butler, Demary further extended the lead with another 3-pointer, bringing the score to 69-57 and solidifying their advantage.
A significant statistic from the game highlighted Georgia’s dominance at the free-throw line, where they outscored Kentucky with 29 points to 15 from free throws. The Bulldogs had a staggering 38 attempts compared to the Wildcats’ 19, compensating for Kentucky’s advantage in points scored within the paint, which was 36-26.
Looking ahead, Georgia’s challenging schedule continues as they prepare to face No. 17 Oklahoma in a home game this Saturday, while Kentucky gears up for their match against No. 14 Mississippi State on the same day.
