Oquendo leads second-half rally in Georgia's 72-65 win

Updated Dec. 21, 2022 5:30 p.m. ET
Associated Press

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Kario Oquendo scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half and rallied Georgia to a 72-65 victory over Chattanooga on Wednesday.

Oquendo was 7-of-11 shooting, including 5 of 8 in the second half with two 3-pointers. His 3-pointer with 1:48 to play snapped the last of four ties and was the final field goal of the game. From there, the Bulldogs made 6 of 8 free throws while the Mocs were missing three from the arc.

Terry Roberts added 14 points, Baelen Bridges 12 and Jailyn Ingram 10 for Georgia (9-3).

Jamal Johnson hit 6 of 10 3-point tries and scored 23 points for the Mocs (8-5). Dalvin White and Jake Stephens had 10 points each. Stephens grabbed eight rebounds. In Chattanooga's overtime loss to Belmont on Sunday, Stephens had 30 points and 20 rebounds.

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After shooting just 20% in the first half and trailing by 33-30 at the break, the Bulldogs caught the Mocs midway through the second half. Oquendo's two free throws with three minutes to go gave Georgia its first lead and were part of a 17-5 game-ending run over the final six minutes.

The Bulldogs shot 52% in the second half. They finished with a 20-of-25 performance at the line to 9 of 15 for the Mocs.

The Mocs, who came in ranked second nationally making just under 12 3s a game, put up 39 from the arc, making 9 of 21 in the first half but only 5 of 18 in the second.

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