LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Tasha Humphrey had a game-high 28 points and 10 rebounds as No. 11 Georgia survived with an 82-72 overtime victory against Kentucky on Thursday night.
Humphrey had 12 points in the first half and scored 10 of Georgia’s first 13 points.
Five different Bulldogs scored in double figures and in overtime as Georgia outscored Kentucky 16-6 in the extra period.
Georgia’s Janese Hardrick finished with 12 points, six of them in overtime.
The Bulldogs (22-5, 9-3 Southeastern Conference), who led by as many as 11 points in the second half, have won three straight games.
The Wildcats (16-11, 5-7) took their only lead in overtime, 70-69, when Sarah Elliott made a jumper, but the Bulldogs answered with seven straight points.
Tied 64-64 in regulation, Kentucky’s Sam Mahoney missed a jumper and Hardrick was fouled grabbing the rebound, sending her to the line for two free throws with 10.4 seconds left.
Hardrick made both giving Georgia a 66-64 lead before Kentucky’s Carly Ormerod made a driving layup with 5.1 seconds left to tie it at 66-66.
On the Bulldogs’ last possession in regulation, Hardrick missed a turnaround jumper forcing overtime.
Mahoney finished with a team-high 23 points and Elliott had 17 for the Wildcats, who had four players score in double figures.
Trailing 56-45, Mahoney ignited a 12-2 run for the Wildcats, scoring nine points and Ormerod added a 3-pointer cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to 58-57.
Kentucky returns to action Sunday when it plays host to Arkansas on Senior Day. Tip-off is set for Noon EST in Rupp Arena and the game will be carried live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio and television). Seniors Nastassia Alcius, Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer, as well as managers Emily Jones and Freddy Perry will be honored prior to tip-off.