Georgia holds on for tight victory over Wake Forest

Noah Thomasson scored 21 points and Jabri Abdur-Rahim poured in 17 points as Georgia won its home opener, defeating Wake Forest 80-77 courtesy of a late defensive stand Friday night in Athens, Ga.

Russel Tchewa had 11 points and Silas Demary Jr. and RJ Melendez both had 10 points for the Bulldogs (1-1).

Kevin Miller scored 22 points for Wake Forest (1-1). Andrew Carr posted 18 points and eight rebounds, Hunter Sallas had 13 points and Cameron Hildreth added 12.

Hildreth, who had 33 points in the Demon Deacons' season opener, and Carr missed potential tying 3-point attempts in the final 11 seconds. Wake Forest made 11 of 30 shots from 3-point range in the game.

The Bulldogs put together a 17-4 run in the second half, capped by Tchewa's dunk for a 66-54 lead.

Georgia stretched its edge to 73-60 on a basket by Thomasson.

Then it was Wake Forest's turn. When Carr converted a three-point play at the 4:48 mark, the Demon Deacons were within 74-72, prompting a Georgia timeout.

Thomasson and Jalen DeLoach followed with back-to-back Georgia baskets, the latter on a dunk after an offensive rebound.

The Bulldogs were up 80-72 before Wake Forest's final rally that got the Demon Deacons to within three with 43 seconds to play.

Georgia sank 47 percent of its field-goal attempts while holding Wake Forest to 39.1 percent shooting in the game.

Wake Forest pulled even early in the second half on a dunk from Matthew Marsh dunk and led briefly after Miller completed a three-point play.

The Demon Deacons relied heavily on 3-pointers. Of their first 12 field goals, eight were from long range.

It was another rough first half on defense for the Demon Deacons, who trailed by 21 points on Monday night against visiting Elon before putting together a huge rally.

The outcome avenged last year's home victory for Wake Forest.