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Nolan helps Georgia pull away from UAADAM MINICHINOSPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE ATHENS, Ga. -- After Deanna Nolan's performance Sunday, Arkansas Coach Gary Blair would probably prefer that this season be her last at Georgia. Nolan was one of six seniors honored Sunday as part of Georgia's senior day festivities before the Lady Bulldogs' 81-60 victory over the Lady Razorbacks. But Nolan, who was a partial qualifier as a freshman in 1997, could earn another year of eligibility next season if she graduates on time in four years. Nolan also could leave Georgia and enter the WNBA Draft after this season, and that might be the choice Blair wishes she'd make after watching the senior forward scored nine of her 12 points in the second half to lead No. 5 Georgia before a season-high crowd of 7,645 at Stegeman Coliseum. "Deanna Nolan in the second half was the difference in the ballgame," Blair said. "Nolan's second half is what makes her one of the more complete guards in our league." Nolan scored seven points in a 9-0 second-half run that gave the Lady Bulldogs (22-4, 10-2 SEC) the lead for good. The run came immediately after Arkansas forward Lonniya Bragg converted a three-point play with 14:36 left to give Arkansas its last lead, 48-47. Bragg's three-point play forced Georgia center Tawana McDonald to the bench with her fourth foul, but the Lady Razorbacks were unable to capitalize. Instead, Nolan made a three-point play and hit two jumpers to give Georgia a 57-47 lead with 11:40 remaining. Freshman forward Shameka Christon, who finished with 15 points for Arkansas (16-10, 5-7), scored her only points of the second half to cut the lead to 57-49 with 10:04 left. Arkansas went 2 of 8 from the field, committed four turnovers and missed the front end of two 1-and-1s, while Georgia was 7 of 11 from the field following Christon's basket and pushed its lead to as many 23. "After the first half, they saw how well we were playing, and how well we could play, and I think they had to step it up," said Christon, who said she had to do a better job of creating her offense and helping her teammates. Arkansas junior guard Amy Wright, who matched a season high with 10 assists, said Georgia's defense in the second half contributed to the Lady Razorbacks' 9-of-31 effort (29 percent) from the field. Arkansas shot 14 of 28 (50 percent) and trailed 41-37 at halftime. "That is what every good team is going to do," Wright said. "They are going to turn it on when they need to turn it on. They stepped up to the challenge, and having us in here in a close game, they went up another notch while we stayed down." Wright said the loss won't affect the Lady Razorbacks' confidence, which is a key with regular-season games remaining at Auburn on Thursday and at home against Ole Miss on Saturday. "We just need to be consistent," Wright said. "We will have spurts here and there where we will get going, but it has to be throughout the game if you want to be at that level."
Halftime -- Georgia 41, Arkansas 37.
This article was published on Monday, February 19, 2001RETURN to main page
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