In Athens, Texas secured their position as the No. 1 ranked team for the first time in over two decades, backed by their defensive prowess, to overcome Georgia with a 57-26 victory on Monday night. Texas, now boasting a record of 27-2 and 13-1 in the Southeastern Conference, extended their winning streak to 11 games. Taylor Jones led the charge for Texas with 17 points and a career-high match of 16 rebounds, while both Rori Harmon and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda contributed 10 points each. Earlier Monday, Texas ascended to the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 rankings, a position they had not held since February 16, 2004.
In the contest, Georgia was led by De’Mauri Flournoy’s nine points but ultimately fell to a determined Texas defense. Initially, Georgia kept the game close, trailing only 20-16 at halftime and 20-18 early in the second half. However, Georgia’s Asia Avinger missed a crucial layup after a steal, wasting an opportunity to tie the game. Texas then dominated the second half, outscoring Georgia 37-10.
Key takeaways from the game include Texas’s ability to capitalize on turnovers, forcing 25 and converting them into a 30-9 points advantage. Texas’s Harmon was particularly active defensively, with three steals contributing significantly to this lead. Meanwhile, Georgia was unable to secure a major upset, falling short of their first victory over a No. 1 ranked team since defeating Tennessee in the 2004 SEC Tournament.
A pivotal moment came when Texas, after Georgia’s missed chance to tie the game, gained control with three successive baskets by Jones, pushing their lead to double digits at 32-22. From there, Texas maintained control, entering the final quarter leading 34-22.
Looking ahead, Texas is set to continue their campaign on Thursday night against Mississippi State, while Georgia will welcome Auburn for their next matchup. This ongoing season promises more exciting action as Texas looks to maintain its top-ranked status.
