Tennessee Storms Back in Overtime Thriller at Georgia, Secures Rick Barnes’ 850th Career Win
ATHENS, Ga. - Tennessee men’s basketball showed grit, poise, and a heavy dose of second-half firepower on Wednesday night, rallying from a halftime deficit to take down Georgia, 86-83, in overtime. The win marked head coach Rick Barnes’ 850th career victory - a milestone that speaks to his longevity and success, but also to the kind of resilience his teams are known for. This one was a textbook example.
The Vols (14-6, 4-3 SEC) trailed by six at the break after a cold stretch from the field, but they flipped the switch in the second half and overtime, riding a hot shooting hand and relentless effort on the glass to notch their second road win in five days.
Gillespie’s Steady Hand Guides the Comeback
Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie continued his red-hot scoring stretch with 21 points - his third straight game hitting the 20-point mark - and added a game-high six assists. He was the engine that kept Tennessee humming when the game tightened late, and while his potential game-winner at the end of regulation rimmed out, he came up big in the extra session.
Gillespie’s ability to create off the bounce and knock down shots from deep (4-of-11 from three) gave the Vols a steady offensive presence, especially as the game turned into a possession-by-possession battle late in regulation.
A Tale of Two Halves
Tennessee started the night well enough, hitting five of its first eight shots, but things quickly cooled. The Vols went ice-cold over the final 14 minutes of the first half, shooting just 6-of-27 from the field and 2-of-11 from deep. That slump allowed Georgia (16-5, 4-4 SEC) to build a 34-28 halftime lead, fueled by a hot start from sophomore forward Kanon Catchings, who dropped 14 first-half points and knocked down four of his first five threes.
But Tennessee’s effort on the offensive glass kept them within striking distance. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the first half alone - compared to just three by Georgia - and turned those into 14 second-chance points. That hustle would become a theme.
Second-Half Surge Turns the Tide
The Vols came out of the locker room with renewed energy and rhythm, ripping off a 19-10 run in under five minutes to take their first lead since early in the game. They hit six straight shots during that stretch, including three triples, and suddenly the offense that had looked stagnant in the first half was flowing.
Freshman forward Nate Ament was a key part of that surge, finishing with 19 points, six boards, and three assists. His corner three in overtime was a dagger - part of a clutch stretch that helped Tennessee pull away when it mattered most.
J.P. Estrella added 17 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting night, tying his second-highest scoring output in a Vols uniform. The redshirt sophomore was a force on the glass as well, pulling down nine rebounds - seven of them on the offensive end - and giving Tennessee a steady interior presence throughout.
Sophomore guard Bishop Boswell had one of his best all-around games in orange and white, tying a career-high with 13 points and nearly securing a double-double with 10 rebounds. He was a steady presence at the free throw line (5-of-6) and added two triples to round out his performance.
Overtime Execution Makes the Difference
After Georgia’s Marcus Millender tied the game at 74 with a layup in the final seconds of regulation, the game headed into overtime - and that’s where Tennessee took control.
The two teams traded early buckets in the extra period, but a six-point burst capped by Ament’s corner three gave the Vols an 82-76 lead with just over two minutes to play. Georgia clawed back within two, but Tennessee hit clutch free throws down the stretch and got just enough stops to seal the win.
Millender did everything he could for Georgia, scoring 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and dishing out four assists. Catchings led all scorers with 22, but after a scorching start, he managed just eight points over the final 31 minutes and didn’t hit another three.
Dominance on the Glass Tells the Story
Tennessee’s relentless work on the boards was the underlying difference in this one. The Vols owned a 26-7 edge in offensive rebounds - a season-high - and turned that into a 24-4 advantage in second-chance points. Estrella and senior forward Felix Okpara each had as many offensive boards individually as Georgia had as a team.
That kind of effort doesn’t always show up in highlight reels, but it wins games - especially on the road, in the SEC, in late January.
Back Home for a Big One
With momentum building, Tennessee heads back to Knoxville for a Saturday night showdown against Auburn at Food City Center. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN. If the Vols bring the same grit and glass-eating mentality they showed in Athens, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.