The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: DANIEL SHIREY Forward Chris Barnes makes one of his three steals during Georgia's 72-48 win over South Carolina-Upstate on Friday at Stegeman Coliseum. [Click to enlarge]

Friday night's game between the Georgia men's basketball team and South Carolina-Upstate was a tale of three teams: USC-Upstate and the Georgia offense and defense.

In the first half of the Dogs' season-opening 72-48 win, the offense struggled to find its groove, as it managed a measly 27 points on 10-of-30 shooting and a ghastly 2-of-11 from 3-point range.

But despite the offensive challenges, the defense played well, holding the Spartans to a 30.4 field goal percentage in the first and to 37.3 percent overall.

"Overall I'm ecstatic. Man, did we guard," Georgia head coach Dennis Felton said after the game. "That's what we've been preaching the last three weeks is to be a great defensive team where we make them feel us from end to end, and I couldn't be happier."

In the first half alone, Georgia forced 12 steals as Upstate committed as many turnovers (17) as points scored.

"That's how we are going to have to get our wins, defensively," said Georgia's senior guard, Corey Butler, who had four steals in the game. "That's what the best teams like the [NBA's Boston] Celtics do. They play great defense, and that's how they win."

"I'm proud of the guys for sticking with it defensively and playing hard, even though they weren't hitting shots."

In all, Georgia forced 29 Upstate turnovers as three players (Butler, Ricky McPhee and Dustin Ware) had four steals. Chris Barnes chipped in with three steals.

For all of Felton's praise, there was one area he said needs improvement - rebounding.

The Spartans outrebounded the Dogs 25-15 for the game, and 17-10 in defensive boards.

"I'm disappointed in the rebounding because that's the other part about what we wanted to be about," Felton said. "But if we rebounded better it would have been a far more lopsided game."

Fortunately for Georgia, Friday's opponent was a classic cupcake on the schedule, because it did not pose a legitimate threat. But as the Dogs began play in the NIT Season Tipoff Monday night, against more competitive opponents, they will have to correct rebounding problems.

The tournament is separated into four regions with 16 seeded teams. Georgia, No. 6, is in the North Regional at Purdue University and played No. 10 Loyola of Chicago in a game that concluded after press time and will play either No. 1 Purdue or No. 14 Eastern Michigan today.

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