Senior Justin Hill Sinks a Jump Shot in the Final Seconds to give UGA the win over FSU

Tallahassee, FL – Despite FSU being favored by 9.5 the Dawgs were able to pull off an upset taking down the ACC opponents at home 68-66 in the final seconds. 

The Dawgs went on their longest scoring streak of the half opening with five points in the first minute. This quick start was put to an end in the next minute when FSU’s Jamir Watkins kicked off an 11-point run with a 3-pointer.

Despite quick points for each team early in the half, the rest of the half could best be characterized by a myriad of missed shots. From 16:44 to 8:36 FSU would only score four points (one field goal and two free throws) and UGA only two points (two free throws on four attempts). This dry spell would finally be ended with a 3-pointer for UGA by senior guard Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Both teams would go on to score later on throughout the half but neither team possessed very much momentum as they could not get much started on offense. UGA only scored 11 more points and FSU only scored 12 more points making the score 25 to 27, FSU, to end out the half.

The second half on the other hand was a major turnaround for both teams. The Dawgs and the Seminoles were able to put some points on the board but before each could get started, 7’0” center for UGA, Russell Tchewa was ejected from the game with a flagrant at 18:19 after throwing FSU’s De’Ante Green to the floor while wrestling for the ball.

FSU was not able to immediately capitalize off the foul, only making one of two free throws. However, they were able to expand their lead to 35 to 27 with 15:58 remaining. In response, the Bulldogs were able to tie up the game with a 10 to 2 run over the next three minutes bringing the game 37 a piece.

From here, a major shift in momentum occurred when the Seminoles went on a 24 to 7 run sparked by a 3-point jumper from Darin Green Jr, FSU’s 6’5” guard from Charlotte, N.C. Green Jr. was a major contributor to this run scoring three 3-pointers and two assists. At this point, FSU and their 17-point lead looked dominant enough to continue out the remaining six and a half minutes and end with a win. But the Dawgs were not ready to give up without a fight.

Starting with UGA’s junior RJ Melendez sinking two free throws, the Dawgs went on a 24 to 5 scoring run. After a series of points made by several UGA players including Silas Demary Jr. and Justin Hill, the Dawgs were able to take their first lead in the game since their 5-3 lead in the first two minutes when Jabri Abdur-Rahim made a 3-pointer assisted by Silas Demary Jr. with 2:29 left (this brought the score to 64-63, UGA).

De’Ante Green then made a layup for FSU giving them back the lead, but UGA answered right back when senior Frank Anselem-Ibe made two free throws that danced around the rim before going in. FSU was able to bring the ball back down the court and after missing two layups the Seminoles were fouled by Frank Anselem-Ibe going for a rebound. De’Ante Green took the free throws for the Seminoles going 1 for 2 and tying the game with 27 seconds left. Coming out the to time out, Justin Hill was able to take some time off the clock an just a 2-point jumper to take the lead 68 to 66 with 1.5 seconds left. The Seminoles tried to launch a shot across the court but missed which sealed the win for the Dawgs in a thrilling fashion. 

This game marks the first true road game for the Dawgs and their first away game win. The Dawgs are now 4-3 and 1-0 away while the Seminoles drop to 4-2 overall and 2-1 at home. This game reflects the resiliency of the Dawgs and provides good momentum for them as they move on to a stretch of five home games at a row. 

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