Miller Reaches Two Career Milestones in Win over Furman
By Elizabeth Grimsley
After trailing the entire first half, the No. 23 Georgia women’s basketball team came from behind to defeat Furman 72-48 Tuesday night.
Although it wasn’t a blowout win Georgia was expecting, a bright spot came when senior Khaalidah Miller became just the 35th Lady Bulldog to reach 1,000 career points.
“I anticipated it happening,” Miller said. “I didn't know how many points I had left, but it's exciting definitely to be able to make history like that."
Before the game, Miller only needed 10 points to reach the milestone and did just that, helping Georgia (4-0) to improve to 10-0 all-time against the Paladins (1-3).
With her single 3-point basket, Miller also managed another feat, tying Rachel Powell at No. 5 on Georgia’s all-time list with 174.
The Paladins started the game with a 7-0 run and didn’t give up that lead until four and a half minutes into the second half.
“We came out prepared,” Miller said. “We kind of took it for granted like going out there at first not expecting them to play as hard as they did and gave them momentum.”
Once the Lady Bulldogs finally regained the lead, they stayed ahead for the remainder of the game.
“Defense is the key,” Griffin said. “Getting out in the passing lanes, stopping the three ball, and basically just getting turnt up defense and getting quick points.”
However, Furman put up a fair fight for a while before Georgia eventually pulled away going on a 8-0 run to end the first half which continued into the second half with an 18-0 run.
“I doubt that they would have been in the dressing room when I went in if we were down 17 at the half,” Georgia head coach Andy Landers said. “They would have all been over at the dorm.”
Sophomore Tiaria Griffin dominated the court for the Lady Bulldogs with a career-high 21 points to lead the team.
“I feel like tonight was a good,” Griffin said. “I was really ready to play, anxious to get out on the court. [I] tried to do my best to contribute to the team.”
However, Landers didn’t focus on her point total and instead praised her defensive skills.
“The thing she is absolutely terrific, as is her ability to defend on the ball,” Landers said. “She’s like a shadow. I don’t know how to assess it — it’s golden. [She makes] the kid who’s got the ball wish they didn’t have it.”
Griffin was coming off a three-game suspensions received due to failure to adhere to standards of the program.
“I think lessons have been learned,” Landers said. “It’s altogether possible that we look back on it next week, a year from now, ten years from now and say it was the best that could have happened.”
Marjorie Butler was also suspended for three games to start the season, but didn’t dress out for Tuesday’s game due to a nagging shoulder injury, making it four games missed by the sophomore to start the season.
Junior Krista Donald also continued an impressive start to her season after sitting out the first 12 games last year to focus on academics.
Donald came away from the matchup against Furman with her second-consecutive double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), an impressive feat considering Donald is merely 5-11 compared to the Paladins who boast three starters at or above that height.
“To be able to go out and do what she’s doing is absolutely amazing,” Landers said. “Add to the equation the absence of height — Sunday it was 6-5 kids. Everybody out there is bigger than her, but she’s a warrior. She gets it done.”
Having a double-double means reaching double-digits in two of the five categories of the game with the most common combinations being points and rebounds or points and assists. The other categories include blocks and steals.
The Lady Bulldogs will continue their six-game homestand against rival Georgia Tech Sunday at 2 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum.
By Elizabeth Grimsley
After trailing the entire first half, the No. 23 Georgia women’s basketball team came from behind to defeat Furman 72-48 Tuesday night.
Although it wasn’t a blowout win Georgia was expecting, a bright spot came when senior Khaalidah Miller became just the 35th Lady Bulldog to reach 1,000 career points.
“I anticipated it happening,” Miller said. “I didn't know how many points I had left, but it's exciting definitely to be able to make history like that."
Before the game, Miller only needed 10 points to reach the milestone and did just that, helping Georgia (4-0) to improve to 10-0 all-time against the Paladins (1-3).
With her single 3-point basket, Miller also managed another feat, tying Rachel Powell at No. 5 on Georgia’s all-time list with 174.
The Paladins started the game with a 7-0 run and didn’t give up that lead until four and a half minutes into the second half.
“We came out prepared,” Miller said. “We kind of took it for granted like going out there at first not expecting them to play as hard as they did and gave them momentum.”
Once the Lady Bulldogs finally regained the lead, they stayed ahead for the remainder of the game.
“Defense is the key,” Griffin said. “Getting out in the passing lanes, stopping the three ball, and basically just getting turnt up defense and getting quick points.”
However, Furman put up a fair fight for a while before Georgia eventually pulled away going on a 8-0 run to end the first half which continued into the second half with an 18-0 run.
“I doubt that they would have been in the dressing room when I went in if we were down 17 at the half,” Georgia head coach Andy Landers said. “They would have all been over at the dorm.”
Sophomore Tiaria Griffin dominated the court for the Lady Bulldogs with a career-high 21 points to lead the team.
“I feel like tonight was a good,” Griffin said. “I was really ready to play, anxious to get out on the court. [I] tried to do my best to contribute to the team.”
However, Landers didn’t focus on her point total and instead praised her defensive skills.
“The thing she is absolutely terrific, as is her ability to defend on the ball,” Landers said. “She’s like a shadow. I don’t know how to assess it — it’s golden. [She makes] the kid who’s got the ball wish they didn’t have it.”
Griffin was coming off a three-game suspensions received due to failure to adhere to standards of the program.
“I think lessons have been learned,” Landers said. “It’s altogether possible that we look back on it next week, a year from now, ten years from now and say it was the best that could have happened.”
Marjorie Butler was also suspended for three games to start the season, but didn’t dress out for Tuesday’s game due to a nagging shoulder injury, making it four games missed by the sophomore to start the season.
Junior Krista Donald also continued an impressive start to her season after sitting out the first 12 games last year to focus on academics.
Donald came away from the matchup against Furman with her second-consecutive double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), an impressive feat considering Donald is merely 5-11 compared to the Paladins who boast three starters at or above that height.
“To be able to go out and do what she’s doing is absolutely amazing,” Landers said. “Add to the equation the absence of height — Sunday it was 6-5 kids. Everybody out there is bigger than her, but she’s a warrior. She gets it done.”
Having a double-double means reaching double-digits in two of the five categories of the game with the most common combinations being points and rebounds or points and assists. The other categories include blocks and steals.
The Lady Bulldogs will continue their six-game homestand against rival Georgia Tech Sunday at 2 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum.