The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/13/09 Section: Sports

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TAMPA, Fla. - There was no miracle run, or storybook ending for the Georgia men's basketball team in the 2009 version of the SEC Tournament.

Georgia's season came to an end Thursday following its 79-60 blowout loss in the first round against Mississippi State.

"We definitely needed this first win so that we could get the tornado tomorrow night and then go on the three-game run," said Georgia senior Corey Butler. "But you got to win the first one, and we were unable to do that."

Butler's tornado reference was in regard to the chaos that surrounded the 2008 magical Georgia run through the Tournament.

Mississippi State's Kodi Augustus represented the disaster for Georgia, scoring a game-high 19 points off the bench.

"[Augustus] played real, real well tonight," said Georgia senior Terrance Woodbury. "I want to say that's a real plus for them as far as advancing in this tournament. If he keeps up his aggressiveness as far as what he did against us, they, you know, pretty much have the talent to beat anybody."

The St. Pete Times Forum lacked any semblance of energy or emotion, as Mississippi State steadily built a 40-26 halftime lead.

Seven points from Woodbury, as well as a 3-pointer from both Butler and junior Ricky McPhee sparked a 14-5 run, as Georgia pulled to 47-42 with 15:13 to play.

Subsequently, four consecutive Georgia possessions ended in turnovers, as Mississippi State reeled off 10 straight points to end the run, and the game.

"Well, all good teams are going to make runs," said Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury. "I think we went up 15 points even at that time, and they cut it to five. Again, we came down and answered with two big 3's. Our team is capable of doing that."

State's run swelled to 22-6 after Georgia threatened, leading 69-48 with 7:16 remaining. The rest of the game was but a mere formation.

"I thought our kids dug in defensively," Stansbury said. "At halftime Woodbury had two points and he's the key to them. When he scores points for them, you look back at games they've won, and he's been the guy that's gotten them going."

Mississippi committed only nine team fouls, a season low. Georgia shot four free-throws, making one, all of which came in the first half.

Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado and guard Ravern Johnson joined Augustus in double figures, contributing 14 and 12 respectively. Varnado, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, also finished with 12 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season.

Woodbury led Georgia with 14 points, joined by freshman Trey Thompkins, who added 12 points and seven rebounds. Forwards Chris Barnes and Albert Jackson each had eight points.

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