Georgia Basketball continues to prove its mettle, improving to 9-1 after a hard-fought 73-68 victory over Grand Canyon at the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta. The win bolsters the SEC’s non-conference dominance, as other league teams secured big victories on the same day.
Freshman Stars Shine in Atlanta
Somto Cyril, the Bulldogs’ Overtime Elite standout, delivered a commanding performance in front of the Atlanta crowd. Despite the physical nature of the game, Cyril recorded 12 points—including five powerful dunks—and eight rebounds. Fellow freshman Asa Newell also made a significant impact, finishing with a game-high 17 points, five of which came in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Blue Cain and Tyrin Lawrence contributed 10 points apiece, while Silas Demary tied Cyril with eight boards, highlighting Georgia’s collective effort on both ends of the floor.
Defense Sets the Tone
The Bulldogs entered halftime with a commanding 34-23 lead, fueled by suffocating defense. Georgia neutralized Grand Canyon’s star player, Tyon Grant-Foster, holding him scoreless in the first half and limiting the Antelopes to a dismal 28.6% shooting from the field. Georgia also dominated the glass, outrebounding Grand Canyon 21-14.
Grand Canyon’s Push and Georgia’s Resilience
After the break, Grand Canyon came alive behind improved play from Grant-Foster and Duke Brennan, narrowing the gap to a one-possession game. However, timely plays by Cyril and Newell, along with clutch three-pointers from Cain, helped the Bulldogs reestablish control.
Despite seven double-digit leads in the second half, Georgia faced a tense finish. A scoring drought of nearly three minutes allowed Grand Canyon to close the gap late. Newell’s critical and-one in the final moments and solid free-throw shooting preserved the win for the Bulldogs.
Looking Ahead
With their best start since the 2001-02 season, Georgia’s 9-1 record marks only the second time they’ve achieved this milestone since 1996-97. The Bulldogs now turn their attention to two home games next week, hosting Buffalo on Thursday, December 19, and Charleston Southern on Sunday, December 22.
Thursday’s game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network+, with Georgia aiming for its 10th win of the season.
