Huskies hold off Georgia, UNC next

Washington 68, Georgia 65

Date: March 18, 2011

Venue: Time Warner Cable Arena

City: Charlotte

Attendance: 16,852

CHARLOTTE — Tight in the end, but Washington held off Georgia 68-65 in Time Warner Cable Arena to advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Seven-seed Washington will play second-seeded North Carolina at 9:15 a.m. Sunday in Charlotte, NC. The Huskies used tightened second-half defense to slow Georgia and Trey Thompkins. Thompkins finished with 26 points to lead all scorers. Isaiah Thomas led Washington with 19 points. The Washington bench dominated the Georgia bench, outscoring the Bulldogs 28-0. Thomas was perfect from the foul line, 7-for-7, helping Washington to advance. Washington couldn’t stop Thompkins in the first half. Georgia’s big man hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down. He pounded inside, twice dunking while getting fouled. He had 15 points at the half. As much of an issue as Thompkins was, the Huskies did themselves no favors. Washington was 2-for-14 from behind the three-point line. The brick-building exercise continued for most of the half, yet Washington tied Georgia just before the break on a spinning drive from Thomas. Only three Bulldogs scored in the first half. In the end, Georgia closed with a run but a final chuck was off line at the buzzer.

Star of the game
Trey Thompkins Georgia’s leading scorer and rebounder all season was just that again against the Huskies. Thompkins finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and an assist. He was 11-for-14 from the field.

Play of the game
Isaiah Thomas’ spinning drive to close the first half tied the game at 28. It was an important hoop for the minds of the Huskies, plus an extremely difficult play during which he blew through the majority of the Georgia defense.

Misplay of the game
Lump together the turnovers and fouls committed by Washington in the final three minutes that helped make the game close.

Highlights

• Darnell Gant Had a powerful baseline dunk in the second half, helping Washington expand its lead.
• Georgia’s Travis Leslie took off from just inside the foul line to dunk on a breakaway for the Bulldogs.

Lowlights

• Terrence Ross Started but went 0-for-5 and committed two fouls.

Notable

• Aziz N’Diaye Came off the bench to grab five rebounds and score six points. Was 3-for-3 from the field.
• Terrence Ross Went scoreless in 10 minutes on the floor.
• C.J. Wilcox Scored six points on 2-of-6 shooting in 19 minutes.
• Darnell Gant Was a surprise starter and committed two fouls in the first 1:14. Was able to contribute seven points and three rebounds after that.
• Venoy Overton Came off the bench and was effective in 21 minutes. Scored six points, added four rebounds and an assist.
• Scott Suggs Hit crucial three-pointers on his way to 10 points in 19 minutes.
• Justin Holiday Played tough defense all night on Georgia’s two best players, plus finished with six points and three rebounds.
• Matthew Bryan-Amaning Finished with eight points and six rebounds.
• Isaiah Thomas Led Washington with 19 points and seven assists.

Said

• “We got to get through this. We have got to get through this.” Lorenzo Romar, Washington coach, on what he was thinking while the game became closer and closer
• “In his mind, he’s having fun. At times, he’s entertaining himself.” Lorenzo Romar, Washington coach, on Isaiah Thomas
• “Sometimes some guys might not be focusing on defense, but now towards the end, that’s what we make sure we do.” Justin Holiday, Washington small forward, on what has made Washington successful in the postseason
• “Even though we got the game like we wanted to, you still have to make plays at both ends and we didn’t do that. So, yes, it is frustrating.” Mark Fox, Georgia coach, on the pace of the game
• “They came in the second half and started knocking down shots. They were contested. That just shows the quality of shooters and quality of team they have.” Trey Thompkins, Georgia power forward, on Washington

Numbers

• 22.2 Washington’s three-point shooting percentage.
• 10. Fewer three-point attempts by Washington in the second half than the first. After 14 first-half heaves, the Huskies took just four in the second half.
• 70. Percentage of the team’s assist for Isaiah Thomas, seven of 10.
• 0. Bench points scored by five Georgia players.
• 10. More free-throw attempts in the second half than the first for Washington, two versus 12.

Seth Kolloen’s (Exit 164) take on the game