The No. 19 UGA Lady Bulldogs (15-3, SEC 4-1) trounced the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-6, 1-3) on Sunday in Starkville, MS, 68-51, despite a lot of not-quite-100-percent players.
"We've got a lot of kids with aches and pains," Andy Landers said on www.georgiadogs.com, no doubt thinking specifically of Jasmine James, who was unable to play during the final 33:58 of the game. "For them to be able to come out and play and then lose a player in the game and not flinch and continue to make plays like they did today is admirable. It's a maturity and a strength that a lot of teams don't have."
James left the game in the first half after re-injuring the knee she sprained on Dec. 20 against Montana State.
Khaalidah Miller led the Lady Hoop Dogs with 17 points on the night, followed by Jasmine Hassell with 12 and Erika Ford with eight.
"I thought everyone played well," Landers said. "Our guards, first of all, were terrific defensively and our traps on ball screens really kept Mississippi State from executing and doing the things that they do so well. That piece drove the game and drove the outcome of the game. For the most part, we kept them out of the paint as well. That's what they want to do...drive the ball into the lane and make plays or drive and kick out or drive and play off to a post player. We accomplished the objectives we set out to accomplish before the game started."
The Lady Hoop Dogs will be at home again on Thursday, when they host No. 9 Kentucky.
Georgia v. Kentucky is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, in Athens. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (ET).
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