UGA's Caldwell-Pope scores 25 in loss to LSU

By SportsDirect Inc. (89)

As of Thursday, March 14, 2013
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Mar 14, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) keeps the ball away from LSU Tigers guard Andre Stringer (10) during the second round of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Shavon Coleman scored 24 points on 9 of 11 shooting and the ninth-seeded Tigers held off Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Bulldogs in the second round of the SEC tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

SEC Player of the Year Caldwell-Pope scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the second half, but No. 8 seed Georgia (15-17) could not overcome a 20-point halftime deficit. The sophomore guard's 3-pointer with 2:43 left cut it to 63-59, but the Bulldogs did not make another field goal.

Andre Stringer scored 16 points and Johnny O'Bryant III scored 12 points and collected 12 rebounds for LSU (19-11), which avenged a regular-season loss to Georgia. The Tigers will take on No. 1 seed Florida in the quarterfinals today.

LSU switched up its regular lineup for before the game, inserting sixth man Coleman into a starting spot and pushing center Andrew Del Piero to the bench in a smaller unit. Coleman responded by scoring 10 points in the opening half as the Tigers took a 39-19 edge into the break.

The lead reached 21 points early in the second half before Caldwell-Pope began to take over. Charles Mann's free throws with 1:06 remaining got it to within 63-61, but Stringer hit a 3-pointer and sealed it at the line.

Notes: The Bulldogs dominated the glass 48-34, including 21 offensive rebounds. ... LSU went 13-for-28 from the free-throw line, lowlighted by O'Bryant III's 6 of 17 effort from the stripe. ... The Tigers suffered a 74-52 home loss to Florida in the lone regular-season meeting Jan. 12.

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