Mike White explains how Georgia rallied late in overtime win over South Carolina

Georgia secured a huge SEC win on Saturday, coming from behind to defeat South Carolina at home in an 81-78 overtime victory. The Bulldogs were down by 10 points with less than seven minutes left in the second half, using great defense and offense to scratch and claw back into the game to pull out the win, which head coach Mike White detailed following the matchup.

“I look forward to watching the film,” White said. “We always talk about let’s try to get a stop, try to get an A shot. We got plenty of time, if we get a couple stops and scores. Place will get loud, and it did, and that was it.”

Georgia guard Mardrez McBride led the Bulldogs in scoring on Saturday, scoring a season-high 17 points predominantly from behind the arc, burying five three-pointers on an impressive sharp shooting performance. Center Frank Anselem also had a big night, scoring a career-high 12 points.

But who came up the largest for Georgia was Kario Oquendo, who ended the day with 16 points, but most importantly scored all eight of the Bulldog’s points in overtime to solidify their win in Columbia.

“I thought Kario offensively putting pressure on the rim down the stretch, getting to the line, struggled from the line a little bit and really stepped up with his level of poise, or swagger, or both, or what have you,” White said. “So he stepped up with confidence and converted at the end of the day when it counted most.”

Oquendo’s free throw shooting was crucial, making 10 of his 15 shots from the foul line and hitting all six of his attempts in overtime.

Both teams celebrated impressive shooting nights, as the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs shot 40% or higher from the field and from the three-point line. It was raining threes in Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday, as 19 total three-pointers were made between both teams. South Carolina won the rebound and turnover battle fairly handily, but the Bulldogs’ late stretch of impressive defense and foul shooting late in the game took them over the hump.

Georgia’s win not only snaps a three-game losing streak in their SEC schedule, but a 12-game losing streak versus South Carolina. The Bulldogs secured their fourth conference win of the season, putting them at .500 in the SEC as they head into their Wednesday matchup versus No. 19 Auburn.