The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: ILANA MCQUINN Senior forward Tasha Humphrey prepares to take a shot during Georgia's game against DT3 Atlanta on Thursday at Stegeman Coliseum. [Click to enlarge]

The No. 10 Lady Bulldogs basketball team began their season with a convincing 99-61 victory over the DT3-Atlanta exhibition squad in their preseason opener, but one number stands out in the team's mind after Thursday's contest - 23.

Georgia turned the ball over 23 times against DT3-Atlanta. The Bulldogs were able to survive the miscues by forcing 31 opponent turnovers, a number they are unlikely to be able to duplicate against stronger Division I opponents.

"We had flashes where we looked really good as a basketball team, not only defensively but offensively," said senior forward Tasha Humphrey. "I thought we shot the ball well, but the thing that really sticks out in my mind is that we turned the ball over too much and gave up too many rebounds."

The performance on Thursday night showed the team still has plenty to work on before the regular season opener Friday.

The Bulldogs will get one more chance to prepare for Division I competition in their preseason finale Tuesday night against Team Adidas, an exhibition squad that figures to pose a tougher test for Georgia.

Team Adidas defeated St. John's, Syracuse and Florida in 2006. Georgia got the better of the Premier Players last year in Athens, 71-62.

Coach Andy Landers indicated that the team's primary focus in the early part of the season is on the defensive end of the court, and Thursday's effort leaves lingering questions about defense for the Lady Dogs.

Despite a 33-point margin of victory in their preseason opener, Georgia was only able to grab 10 more rebounds than their opponents. The Lady Dogs also allowed 42.4 percent shooting from DT3-Atlanta in the second half.

"I think we have to get better defensively," Humphrey said. "We've had 27 or 28 practices now, and coach (Landers) keeps stressing we have to get that swagger back. I think that starts on the defensive end."

Sophomore guard Ashley Houts believes that now, with nearly a full month under its belt, the team is starting to show signs of being ready for Division I competition.

"We're focusing on carrying things over from practice to the game," Houts said. "Things in practice are now slowly but surely clicking, and if we focus on our game plan, we'll start to see them out on the court."

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