The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: KEVNEY MOSES Georgia's Porsha Phillips scores two of her 20 points during the lady Bulldog's 84-75 win Sunday. [Click to enlarge]

As the snow fell outside Stegeman Coliseum, the No. 17 Florida Gators were falling inside at the hands of the Georgia women's basketball team.

Thanks to 20 points and eight rebounds by Porsha Phillips, Georgia led for all but about seven minutes, winning 84-75.

"We played well together, we were tougher tonight and came through," Phillips said.

Georgia found its spark on offense that it had missed at times this season. Ashley Houts and Christy Marshall joined Phillips in double figures with 14 points apiece. Danielle Taylor added 12 and Angel Robinson put in 10 points and led all rebounders with 9.

Georgia was quick building a double digit lead before halftime. But a Florida three by Sha Brooks as time expired cut the lead to 45-38 heading into intermission.

Florida rode the momentum of Brooks' three as they began the second half on a 21-9 run, while forcing eight Georgia turnovers. But Georgia answered with a 14-0 run - eight of which were provided by Phillips - to take a 68-59 lead and seizing control of the contest.

"It was a very fast paced game, went basket for basket and was a fun game to play," Houts said. "We showed that we could compete with anybody, and we beat a really good team here with Florida."

For Taylor it was her last game at Stegeman as she represented the lone senior on the Lady Dogs squad. Taylor was the spark early on as she scored all 12 of her points in the first half.

"It was a big deal coming out here and getting a win over Florida because they're a great basketball team," Taylor said. "Since it was my last game against a big team it is a great thing and I appreciate my teammates playing really well."

The attention from the victory will turn to the upcoming SEC tournament where Georgia will, more than likely, have to win at least two games to be invited to the NCAA tournament. Georgia coach Andy Landers doesn't know how many, but knows that they must get it done.

"We need to win games,"he said. "We need to play as many games as we can play and the more of that that occurs, the better off we are."

Added Houts: "We're going to have the right frame of mind to go in there and put back to back games together and fight and have fun."

The Lady Dogs will face Kentucky Thursday afternoon at 3:30 ET from Little Rock, Arkansas, the site of the 2009 SEC tournament.

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