Basketball

ATHENS ---- Dustin Ware and Jeremy Price scored 14 points apiece as Georgia opened a big early lead and cruised to an 85-48 win over Augusta State in its only exhibition basketball game here Thursday night.

Georgia had little trouble with its Division II opponent, despite playing with its top returning scorer and rebounder, junior Trey Thompkins. The SEC's pre-season Player of the Year sprained his right ankle in practice last Saturday and watched from the bench as his teammates played their final pre-season tuneup.

The Bulldogs scored the first 11 points of the game and trailed by single digits just once thereafter. Ware got the scoring started with a 3-pointer on Georgia's first possession. Price followed a minute later on a putback dunk. Ware and guard Gerald Robinson completed the game-opening run with back-to-back 3-pointers.

"It was nice to get the win and to be able to play a lot of guys who are getting their first taste of what it's like to play at this level," Georgia head coach Mark Fox said. "Without Trey on the floor, we're sort of having to reinvent ourselves. I saw a lot of good things out there, but certainly a lot of things we need to clean up before the season opener."

ATHENS, Ga. -- Gerald Robinson Jr. scored 21 points and Georgia overcame poor free-throw shooting to edge Colorado 83-74 on Tuesday night.

Georgia won despite making only 28 of 43 free throws and blowing a first-half lead of 17 points.

Georgia led only 72-70 when Robinson scored on a layup to push the lead to four points with 1:32 remaining. After a turnover by Colorado, Dustin Ware made two free throws for a 76-70 lead.

Travis Leslie had 19 points before fouling out for Georgia (2-0). Jeremy Price had 17.

Georgia continues to play without Trey Thompkins, the team's leading scorer and rebounder last season who is recovering from a high ankle sprain.

Alec Burks had 23 points for Colorado (1-1), which suffered its first loss under first-year coach Tad Boyle. Cory Higgins added 15 points.

Georgia led 56-49 when Price went to the bench with four fouls. Georgia coach Mark Fox was forced to bring Price back 3 minutes later after Colorado took a 60-59 lead.

Fouls hurt Georgia again when the Bulldogs, leading 68-64, had Leslie foul out. Price responded with a quick basket to help Georgia retain its momentum.

Connor Nolte, Robinson and Leslie had 3-pointers in an early 13-0 run to give Georgia a 16-4 lead.

The Bulldogs stretched the lead to 17 points but collapsed after leading 31-14. Georgia's barrage of fouls, missed free throws and turnovers helped the Buffaloes close the half with a 19-2 run for a 33-33 halftime tie.

Leslie missed an attempt at an open one-handed breakaway jam during the Colorado run, the ball bouncing off the back of the rim out of bounds.

Nate Tomlinson and Levi Knutson completed the Colorado comeback with 3-pointers in the final minute of the half. Colorado scored 15 points off Georgia's 13 turnovers in the half.

Boyle was called for a technical foul with 9.9 seconds remaining when Higgins was called for his fifth foul.

Hey all just wanted to point out our basketball team pulled out another close one last night against Saint Louis 61-59. This, unlike the previous 2 games, was on the road so we snapped our 11 game road losing streak in the process.

www.ajc.com/sports/uga/bulldogs-pull-out-a-748949.html