Taylor back on Bulldog bench

She gave birth to a baby girl early Tuesday morning: University of Georgia women's basketball coach Joni Taylor made an appearance on the sidelines at last night's game in Stegeman Coliseum, a 10-point win for the Lady Dogs over Arkansas. 

From Eleanor Stubley, UGA Sports Communications…

The Georgia women’s basketball team defeated Arkansas, 93-83, on Thursday night in Stegeman Coliseum to clinch its second win against the Razorbacks this season.

This win pushes the Lady Dogs’ overall record to 16-10 and 7-6 in the SEC.

Five Lady Bulldogs scored in double-digits. Sophomore Que Morrison shot 5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-5 at the 3-point line, and sank 3-of-4 at the free-throws to notch a season-high 16 points. Senior Caliya Robinson added 11 rebounds and 21 points, including a perfect 5-of-5 showing at the free-throw line. This performance marks her eighth double-double of the season and 26th overall. Sophomore guard Gabby Connally scored 14, while sophomore Maya Caldwell and redshirt junior Taja Cole scored 12 points apiece. Cole also added eight assists.

“I think that’s a great win for us tonight, because Arkansas is a difficult team to play,” Georgia associate head coach Karen Lange. “I thought we shared the ball really well and withstood their run really well. Last month, I think it probably would’ve affected us a little more emotionally a little longer, but I thought we stayed mature and played well together with each other and executed our man [defense] well. Obviously, having five starters score in double-figures shows we shared the basketball and did a great job.”

It was a back-and-forth game the entire first quarter, as the lead shifted 10 times. Connally had a hand in back-to-back baskets to give Georgia its largest lead of the game. Connally dished it to Robinson for two on the block, before finding Morrison on the next possession for the 3-pointer and the Lady Dogs’ largest lead up to that point (18-14). Though Arkansas managed to regain the lead, Robinson’s basket in the last seconds took Georgia into the second quarter leading, 22-21.

Though the Razorbacks scored the first two baskets of the second period, a four-point advantage would be Arkansas’ largest and last lead of the matchup. After Morrison drained a 3-pointer to tie it at 27-all, the lead shifted only two more times. With just under two minutes remaining before the half, redshirt sophomore Jenna Staiti drained a three-point shot to secure the first double-digit lead of the night by either team, with Georgia up 43-33. The Lady Dogs maintained their lead (45-38) to head into the locker room.

Caldwell scored five points in under a minute to highlight the opening of the second half and secure Georgia’s 52-40 lead. Her scoring streak included a two-point jumper and a perfect 3-of-3 performance at the free-throw line. The Lady Dogs extended their lead to 15 points— 58-43— midway through the third period, with back-to-back baskets by Morrison. Arkansas went on a 7-0 run to cut Georgia’s lead to single-digits, but Connally scored a 3-pointer in the last seconds of the third period for the 64-54 lead to start the fourth.

Arkansas continued to fight in the fourth quarter, eventually cutting the deficit to as low as four points. However, in the last quarter, Georgia pulled away to eventually clinch the 93-83 victory.

Next, the Lady Bulldogs face the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.