Thrilling Last-Second Victory: Georgia Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Arkansas!

In a thrilling matchup, the Georgia women’s basketball team edged out Arkansas 62-61 on Sunday. Both teams wore pink to support breast cancer awareness as Georgia snapped a seven-game losing streak and secured its second victory in conference play. The game came down to the wire, with senior guard Asia Avinger sinking a free throw just 1.3 seconds before the final buzzer.

Freshman Mia Woolfolk shone brightly, notching her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Another freshman, Trinity Turner, contributed 12 points to the Bulldogs’ effort. Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson praised the young players’ performance, noting how defenses were double-teaming them, a testament to their rising impact on the game.

The game kicked off with senior guard Roxane Makolo scoring a quick layup for Georgia. However, Arkansas responded with a strong 10-0 run to take an early lead. In the first quarter, both teams struggled offensively, with Georgia shooting 3-of-15 and Arkansas 5-of-13. Woolfolk’s free throws helped narrow the gap, leaving Georgia trailing by just four points at the end of the quarter.

To start the second quarter, Woolfolk and fellow freshman Miyah Verse scored right off the bat, tying the game at 14-14. De’Mauri Flournoy also made her mark, going perfect from the field and helping the Bulldogs maintain momentum. A strong finish by Georgia propelled them to a 34-25 lead at halftime, marking their first halftime advantage since late December.

Defensively, Georgia was impressive. Sophomore Fatima Diakhate made a significant impact with five blocks, the most by a Bulldog since March 2022. The defense limited Arkansas’s star player, Izzy Higginbottom, to just 5 points by halftime, significantly slowing the Razorbacks’ offense.

Unfortunately, Georgia faced challenges in the third quarter. The Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm, shooting only 3-of-14 from the floor. Arkansas capitalized on this, with Higginbottom and junior Karley Johnson scoring all 12 of their points in the period. Georgia still led 41-37 going into the fourth quarter.

As the final period unfolded, Higginbottom found her footing, closing the gap with early points. However, Georgia responded with a burst of energy, and Woolfolk continued to make her presence felt on the court. The teams exchanged baskets, and with less than a minute remaining, Higginbottom tied the game at 61, marking the first tie since early in the second quarter.

Avinger, who had been quiet most of the game, stepped up when it mattered most. After scoring on a tough drive, she put Georgia back in the lead. The Razorbacks quickly tied it again, leading coach Abrahamson-Henderson to call a crucial timeout with eight seconds left.

On the ensuing play, Avinger took the ball and maneuvered to the basket. Despite a rough fall, she remained calm and hit the first free throw to give Georgia the lead again. She intentionally missed the second, and while Arkansas attempted to grab the rebound, time ran out before they could make another play.

Even with a final flourish, Avinger ended the game with just four points but emphasized the team’s collective effort. The victory improved Georgia’s record to 10-15 overall and 2-9 in the SEC. The Bulldogs will look to build on this win as they prepare for a rematch against No. 11 Kentucky next Sunday at 2 p.m., airing on SEC Network+.