Georgia Bulldogs outmatched by Gonzaga, 88-76

The Georgia Bulldogs fell to the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Wednesday night, 88-76, in the semifinal round of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden.  The 10th-ranked Zags improved to an impressive 5-0 on the season, while Mark Fox’s Bulldogs suffered their second loss of the season against three victories.

Gonzaga led for the entire ball game, and at one point, they had 19 point lead in the second half.  Georgia would battle back, but could never get closer than within 8 points. The Zags received a huge effort from Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer, who had a career high 32 points, and they also got a strong showing from veteran guard Kevin Pangos, who had 22 points and 6 assists.

Georgia was led by Charles Mann’s 22 points and 7 rebounds. J.J Frazier also gave the Dawgs a solid, 14-point effort off the bench.

Georgia mainly lost the game at the free throw line. Both teams were in foul trouble, committing 27 violations each, but Gonzaga was able to fully capitalize on their free throws, converting 32 of their 35 attempts. The Dawgs, on the other hand, only hit 62% of their opportunities from the stripe. Combined with a 4 of 16 shooting from beyond the arc, Mark Fox’s team could never quite get ahead.

Next up for the Georgia Bulldogs will be the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third-place game of the NIT Season Tip Off on Friday, November 28 at 4:30 pm ET.