In a thrilling SEC showdown on January 14, 2023, the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers displayed resilience by overcoming a sluggish start to secure a commanding 74-56 victory over the No. 23 Georgia Bulldogs. Despite having only two points at the 12:43 mark of the first half, Tennessee utilized a strong second-half performance to rally and take control. Leading the effort was Zakai Zeigler, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, assisting the Volunteers in their vital Southeastern Conference win. ‘You just got to be there for your teammates and always be ready to put it in,’ said Zeigler. The Tennessee team shot 40.3 percent from the field while their defense limited Georgia to just 37.3 percent. Head coach Rick Barnes praised his team’s effort in the second half, commenting, ‘The people in the building felt the energy changed a lot.’ The performance not only helped solidify Tennessee’s position in the rankings but also showcased their ability to perform under pressure. Georgia’s head coach Mike White acknowledged Tennessee’s strong comeback; ‘Tennessee came out in the second half and showcased their defensive prowess and offensive execution.’ This win propels Tennessee further up the SEC standings, solidifying their position as a formidable contender this season as they look to build momentum heading into the tail end of their schedule.
No. 6 Tennessee Overcomes Slow Start to Defeat No. 23 Georgia 74-56 in SEC Matchup
