Bridges makes a return to form, but it isn't enough as Rebels upset Bulldogs, 78-74

Georgia center Braelen Bridges (23) during Georgia’s game against Ole Miss at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

ATHENS — Ole Miss was able to upset Georgia on a night in which Bulldogs’ forward Braelen Bridges had a career-high 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 78-74 loss.

Georgia’s recent struggles continued against a Rebels squad it beat last month on Jan. 14. The Bulldogs (14-10, 4-7 SEC) have now lost six out of their last seven contests.

Bridges recorded his third double-double of the season. Plus, guard Kario Oquendo had a stellar performance, scoring 19 points and grabbing five rebounds, but it still wasn’t enough.

UGA head coach Mike White was frustrated after the game, describing it as a “tough loss.”

“When Braelen goes for 26 and 11 and Kario bounces back and responds really well, and you come up a little short on them,” White said after the game, “obviously it’s very disappointing.”

The Bulldogs couldn’t stop Ole Miss’ duo of Jaemyn Brakefield and Myles Burns. The pair combined for 44 points and 13 rebounds, while Matt Murrell added 14 points with seven boards. Murrell and Burns also combined to shoot 16-of-20 from the free-throw line.

Georgia and the Rebels each grabbed 36 rebounds, although the Rebels grabbed 11 offensive boards. They also scored 19 second-chance points off those rebounds on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs pulled down 10 offensive rebounds, however, they couldn’t score off their initial misses. They were only able to score nine second-chance points against Ole Miss.