Dec. 7, 2005
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Freshman Billy Humphrey led a balanced attack with 19 points as Georgia beat Georgia Tech 91-75 on Wednesday night, continuing the pattern of homecourt dominance in the intrastate rivalry.
The home team has won 10 of the last 11 games in the series, which returned to campus sites in 1995. Tech has lost in 11 straight games in Athens and is 3-23 all-time at Stegeman Coliseum. Tech beat the Bulldogs 87-49 last season in Atlanta.
Anthony Morrow led Tech (3-3) with a career-high 28 points while Jeremis Smith added 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Sundiata Gaines had 16 points for Georgia (6-1) and Levi Stukes had 14 and Channing Toney added 11.
While Georgia was content to launch repeated outside shots — making nine of 25 3-point attempts — Tech worked on forcing the ball inside. Smith was effective in drawing fouls, but he made only four of 11 free throws in the first half.
With Stukes making three 3-pointers and scoring 11 points in the final 5 minutes of the first half — Georgia led 49-36 at halftime.
A 3-pointer by Humphrey gave the Bulldogs a 58-39 lead 5 minutes into the second half. Tech then used full-court defensive pressure to spark a rally. A 3-pointer by Morrow following a Georgia turnover and an inside basket by Smith cut the lead to 60-49.
Tech twice pulled within 10 points, the last time at 70-60, before Georgia’s guards regained control.
Georgia, playing with three or more guards most of the game, committed only seven turnovers.
With 8:52 left, players had to be separated following a scramble for a loose ball. Morrow and Humphrey were called for technical fouls.
