Georgia Bulldogs upset No. 25 South Carolina, 69-56

Feb 2, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Marcus Stroman (1) dribbles against Georgia Bulldogs guard Kenny Gaines (12) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Marcus Stroman (1) dribbles against Georgia Bulldogs guard Kenny Gaines (12) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Bulldogs get their 12th win on the year by upsetting a ranked rival in the No. 25 South Carolina Gamecocks at home Tuesday night, 69-56 at Stegeman.

The Georgia Bulldogs snap their two-game losing streak by defeating biannual basketball rival in the No. 25 South Carolina Gamecocks in a decided home upset Tuesday night, 69-56. Georgia moves to 12-8 (5-4) on the year and continues to play well at Stegeman Coliseum this year.

This was only the Gamecocks’ third defeat this season and could serve as a jumping off point for this year’s largely inconsistent Georgia Bulldogs’ basketball season in 2015-16. Georgia’s great on-ball defense held South Carolina to only 31.0% shooting from the floor and 30.4% from three. South Carolina didn’t help itself at the free throw line (68.4%) either.

The Georgia Bulldogs shot the basketball slightly better than the Gamecocks from the field (39.3%) and from three (36.4%). What really helped UGA in this upset getting a few more rebounds than South Carolina, winning the rebounding battle 44-38 Tuesday night.

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Georgia had its usual suspects in double figures in their home upset of South Carolina. Power forward Yante Maten led the way with 18 points on 8-15 shooting. He made two of his three free throws, collected seven rebounds, and had four rebounds against the Gamecocks.

Senior shooting guard Kenny Gaines was off Maten’s pace shooting the basketball just slightly. Gaines had 17 points on 6-15 shooting, including 3-8 from three-point land. He would make two of his four free throw attempts, grab seven rebounds, distribute three dimes, steal two passes, and swat one block on Tuesday night.

J.J. Frazier still had double figures in scoring despite a poor shooting night from the field (3-11). Frazier had 13 points on 3-8 shooting from three and 4-6 at the line. He would also finish with seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. He’s going to stand as an SEC Player of the Year candidate in 2017 if he keeps this frenetic pace up of his.

Point guard Charles Mann had 11 points on 2-5 shooting and went 6-8 at the free throw line. Mann also had four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in the Dawgs’ upset of the No. 25 South Carolina Gamecocks.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs host 19-2 South Carolina Gamecocks

Georgia sits in sixth place in the SEC, 2.5 games back of first place Texas A&M. The Dawgs will host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday evening for a 5:30 PM ET tipoff. The SEC Network will air the game and hopefully the Georgia Bulldogs can get their 13th win on the season against Bruce Pearl’s sub-.500 Auburn Tigers team. Great win for the Dawgs tonight!