Dec 9, 2001
By KEITH PARSONS
AP Sports Writer
ATHENS, Ga. – Steve Thomas scored a career-high 23 points, including eight straight late in the game, as Georgia beat Georgia Tech 95-82 Sunday, the Bulldogs’ third straight victory over their in-state rival.
Ezra Williams had 22 for Georgia (7-1) and Jarvis Hayes added 21, including seven points during a 13-3 run to start the second half, giving Georgia a 16-point lead. The Yellow Jackets (3-5) closed within four in the final 90 seconds, but the Bulldogs made 6 of 8 free throws to close it out.
Marvin Lewis scored 17 for Georgia Tech.
Georgia played with Jonas Hayes, Jarvis’ twin brother, who’s out indefinitely with a dislocated left index finger.
Thomas, who scored his previous high of 12 points earlier this season against Colorado, took over in the second half. After the Yellow Jackets closed to 70-63 with 6:32 left, he scored 10 points in the next three minutes, including back-to-back three-point plays.
It was the first time this season Georgia wasn’t at a size disadvantage inside, and Thomas made the most of it. He bulled his way through defenders for layups, and consistently hit jumpers from the free-throw line.
The Yellow Jackets shot horribly in opening minutes, falling behind by 12 after hitting just 5 of 19 shots. They never fully recovered, although a late 3-point barrage from Lewis and Tony Akins got them within four.
Akins scored 15 and Ed Nelson added 10.
