Georgia's Cold Start Proves Costly as Texas A&M Stays Hot in SEC Clash
ATHENS - On a snowy Saturday in Athens, Georgia’s offense froze right out of the gate-and Texas A&M wasted no time taking full advantage.
The Aggies opened the game with a blistering 22-2 run, seizing control before the Bulldogs could even settle in. Georgia missed nine of its first 10 shots, and while they eventually found their rhythm, the early hole proved too deep to climb out of. The Bulldogs never led in the game and dropped their third straight contest, falling 92-77 to the SEC’s top team at Stegeman Coliseum.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just about a few missed shots. Texas A&M brought energy and execution from the jump, and Georgia simply couldn’t match it early.
“They came out with way more urgency than we had,” said guard Blue Cain, who finished with 14 points. “I’m not sure what to credit that to, but we have to learn from it.”
The Aggies, now 17-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play, looked every bit like a team with championship aspirations. They won the rebounding battle 46-39, knocked down 19 of 20 free throws, and showed poise every time Georgia tried to make a run.
Bulldogs Battle Back, But It’s Not Enough
Despite the rocky start, Georgia didn’t fold. The Bulldogs clawed their way back into the game behind a balanced scoring effort.
Jeremiah Wilkinson led the way with 17 points, though he struggled from deep, hitting just one of 10 from beyond the arc. Dylan James was a bright spot off the bench, recording a double-double with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
Cain and Kanon Catchings each chipped in 14 points, and Smurf Millender added 12.
Georgia cut the lead to just two points midway through the second half. James capped a rally with an and-one at the 9:05 mark to make it 69-67, giving the Bulldogs a real shot at flipping the script.
But just as quickly as momentum swung Georgia’s way, Texas A&M snatched it back. After grabbing one of their 14 offensive rebounds, the Aggies kicked it out to Jacair Lane, who buried a three to kick off a decisive 15-3 run. That surge pushed the lead to 84-70 with just over five minutes remaining, and Georgia never got closer than nine the rest of the way.
A&M’s Depth and Experience Shine Through
Ruben Dominguez led the Aggies with 18 points, but it was Texas A&M’s depth and cohesion that stood out. They looked rested and sharp, having had a full week off since their last game. Georgia, on the other hand, was coming off a grueling overtime loss to Tennessee just three days earlier-and it showed.
“A&M is as connected as any team we’ve played,” said Georgia head coach Mike White. “They’re older, they’re skilled, they’re tough, and they pass it well. I’d be surprised if they didn’t have more success.”
The Aggies closed the first half on a 7-0 run, turning a three-point game into a 10-point cushion at the break. That late burst proved pivotal, especially with Georgia dealing with foul trouble to key big man Somto Cyril.
Cyril picked up two quick fouls in the first half and played just under five minutes before the break. He never found his rhythm, finishing with nine points and two rebounds in limited action. White leaned on James instead, who gave the Bulldogs a spark off the bench and helped them outscore A&M by nine during his first-half minutes.
Looking Ahead: Time to Regroup
With the loss, Georgia drops to 16-6 overall and 4-5 in SEC play. It also marks the first time this season the Bulldogs have lost back-to-back home games.
But White isn’t panicking. He’s seen this team respond before.
Last season, Georgia weathered two separate four-game losing streaks in SEC play and still found a way to punch its ticket to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade. That same resilience will be put to the test again now.
“Our guys are resilient,” White said. “We have to clean up details, but this team really works. We’ll accept messages and learn from film.”
The timing might actually work in Georgia’s favor. For the first time since SEC play began, they’ll have a full week off before their next game-a road trip to LSU next Saturday. That break could be just what this group needs to reset, refocus, and get back to the version of themselves that had them looking like a tournament lock just a few weeks ago.
As for Texas A&M, they’ll take their momentum into a midweek showdown at Alabama. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, the Aggies are more than ready for the spotlight.