Athens, GA – In a thrilling SEC showdown, Georgia stunned No. 3 Florida 88-83 on Tuesday night, overcoming a furious late-game surge by the Gators. The Bulldogs, led by a dominant performance from senior guard Kario Oquendo, held off a last-minute rally to secure their biggest win of the season.
Georgia controlled most of the contest, building a double-digit lead in the second half. However, Florida mounted a late comeback, fueled by a series of three-pointers from Walter Clayton Jr. and aggressive defensive pressure. With just under two minutes remaining, the Gators cut the deficit to two points, but clutch free throws from Georgia’s Noah Thomasson and a key defensive stop in the final seconds sealed the victory.
Oquendo finished with a game-high 27 points, while Thomasson added 19. The Bulldogs shot 48% from the field and out-rebounded Florida 37-29, proving their dominance in the paint.
“This is a statement win for us,” Georgia head coach Mike White said postgame. “We played with heart, and we earned this one.”
The loss is a setback for Florida’s NCAA tournament seeding, while Georgia strengthens its bid for postseason contention.
