Xavier – 56, Georgia – 44. Much to the delight of the Lady Bulldog faithful in attendance, this one was shaping up as an instant replay of the Clemson game at Gwinnett Arena last week. Georgia falls behind early, whittles the lead down to scrapple by the half, and comes out like a house afire in the second half…eventually taking the lead and seemingly having all the momentum. What followed was a most unpleasant instant replay: Yet another long stretch without points. Eight minutes without a score tonight after making a heroic run to take the lead. The Lady Dawgs also allowed Xavier to roam a little too freely in the paint, resulting in a ten-rebound advantage for the Musketeers.

Danielle Taylor, who jump-started the Georgia offense in the first half by checking in off the bench and hitting her first three shots, wound up leading the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points. Ultimately, though, it was just a case of too much Ta’Shia Phillips…she was a Georgia-killer for a second straight year, leading the Musketeers with 23 points and 16 boards in one of the best all-around performances from an opposing player yet this season.

The Lady Dawgs will attempt to bounce back this Friday night when they travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPNU. We’ll have a preview of the Georgia/Virginia game posted here sometime during the day on Thursday. In the meantime…so long, 2008! Here’s wishing all Fastbreakers a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Click here for the official recap and a link to the stats and box score.