In a wild season opener, the Georgia Bulldogs steamrolled the Bellarmine Knights, finishing with a lopsided 104-59 win. Blue Cain and Jeremiah Wilkinson each racked up 15 points, fueling a game that quickly got out of hand in the second half.
An 18-0 run early after halftime put things out of reach, with Georgia showing off both their scoring punch and some gritty defense. Freshman Jake Wilkins chipped in too, getting all 12 of his points after the break.
It was also the first game for Doug Davenport as Bellarmine’s head coach—a tough way to start your tenure, honestly, when you’re up against a squad like Georgia.
Georgia’s Dominant Performance
From the jump, Georgia set the pace. What started as a slim five-point edge ballooned into a 43-22 lead before halftime.
Georgia’s defense clamped down hard, holding Bellarmine to only seven points over a long 9 1/2-minute stretch. By the break, Georgia was up 49-29 and looking pretty comfortable.
Key Players and Standout Performances
Blue Cain and Jeremiah Wilkinson really led the way, both putting up 15 points. Wilkinson, coming over from Cal, did most of his damage in the first half, dropping 12 points early.
Jake Wilkins, a freshman, made his mark late, pouring in all 12 of his points after halftime. Georgia’s lineup, stacked with five transfers and a couple of four-star recruits like Wilkins and Kareem Stagg, already looks deep and flexible.
- Blue Cain: 15 points
- Jeremiah Wilkinson: 15 points
- Jake Wilkins: 12 points (all in the second half)
- Jack Karasinski (Bellarmine): 23 points and eight rebounds
Offensive and Defensive Highlights
Georgia just couldn’t miss, shooting 54% from the floor and making 19 of their 21 free throws. That kind of efficiency makes things easy.
The defense was just as sharp, holding Bellarmine to 40% shooting and barely letting them get to the line at all—only six free throws, and five makes. That’s a rough night for the Knights.
Second Half Surge
After the break, Georgia poured in 55 more points. That 18-0 run early in the half? It basically slammed the door shut.
The Bulldogs kept their energy up, showing off the team’s depth and maybe a little swagger. You could feel the confidence.
Bellarmine’s Struggles
For Bellarmine, it was a tough opener. Jack Karasinski did what he could, putting up 23 points and snagging eight boards.
But nobody else on the Knights managed more than nine points or three rebounds. That’s just not going to cut it against a team like Georgia.
Doug Davenport’s Debut
This was Doug Davenport’s first game as Bellarmine’s head coach. Facing a loaded Georgia squad, his team just couldn’t keep up.
Still, it’s early days. There’s a lot to learn from a game like this, and you’d think Bellarmine will look a bit different as the season moves along.
Looking Ahead
Georgia’s off to a flying start, and that’s got to feel good. The way Blue Cain, Jeremiah Wilkinson, and Jake Wilkins played gives fans a reason to be optimistic.
Georgia’s Upcoming Challenges
The real tests are coming, though. Georgia will need to keep this intensity as they face tougher teams soon.
How well the new transfers and freshmen settle in will be something to watch. This group has potential, but we’ll see how it holds up when things get tighter.
Conclusion
Georgia’s 104-59 win over Bellarmine wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The Bulldogs looked sharp, mixing skill and strategy with a kind of confidence that feels contagious.
Bellarmine, on the other hand, faced a tough opener. They’ll probably take some lessons from this one and, hopefully, bounce back stronger.
Georgia’s key players really showed up, and the game plan? It worked. If this is a preview of what’s coming, the Bulldogs’ season could get interesting.
Curious about the full breakdown? Check out the article on Fox Sports.
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