Georgia guard Blue Cain's clutch 3-pointer with 47 seconds left secured a thrilling 88-83 victory over No. 3 Florida on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs managed to hold off a remarkable comeback by the Gators, who erased a 26-point deficit to briefly take the lead.
Despite Florida's 13-0 run that put them ahead 80-78, Cain's timely shot shifted the momentum back in Georgia's favor. This win significantly boosts Georgia's chances of securing their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2015.
Will Richard delivered a standout performance for Florida with a career-high 30 points, but it wasn't enough to complete another comeback after their recent victory over LSU. Silas Demary Jr. led Georgia with 21 points, while Asa Newell contributed 15 points to the Bulldogs' winning effort.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Georgia, ending Florida's 12-game winning streak in the series and giving coach Mike White his first win against his former team. White had previously been winless in six matchups against the Gators.
Georgia fans showed their enthusiasm by flooding the court after the game, celebrating the team's impressive victory. The Bulldogs' last win over Florida prior to this game was a 61-55 triumph on March 2, 2019.
Key moments in the game included Thomas Haugh's layup that gave Florida its first lead at 79-78, and the Gators' strong defensive performance with 15 steals leading to a 29-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
Both teams will be back in action on Saturday night, with Florida hosting No. 12 Texas A&M and Georgia visiting Texas in their upcoming matchups.
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