Photos: Bulldogs hold off Xavier in NIT

Sports

Photos: Bulldogs hold off Xavier in NIT

AJC photos from the Georgia vs. Xavier NIT game on March 19, 2024. The Bulldogs won 78-76.

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) celebrates as time expires, reacting to a 78-76 win against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia center Russel Tchewa (54) blocks the final shot by Xavier guard Desmond Claude (1) as time expires during Georgia’s 78-76 win in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia center Russel Tchewa (54) blocks a shot by Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (not pictured) during Georgia’s 78-76 win in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia center Russel Tchewa (54) reacts after blocking a shot by Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (not pictured) during Georgia’s 78-76 win in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia head coach Mike White celebrates with fans after their 78-76 win against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) celebrates with fans after their 78-76 win against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia fans react after a block by center Russel Tchewa (not pictured) was ruled a block and not goal tending during the closing minute of Georgia’s 78-76 win against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) dribbles the ball up the court against Xavier forward Lazar Djokovic (17) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) attempts a shot during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) attempts a three-point shot against Xavier forward Abou Ousmane (24) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) attempts a shot against Xavier center Kachi Nzeh (15) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) celebrates his three-point basket with teammates during the second half against the Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) attempts a three-point shot during the second half against the Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) dunks during the first half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. The Bulldogs won 78-76. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) attempts a shot against Xavier center Kachi Nzeh (15) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) drives against Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) attempts a shot against Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia forward Dylan James (13) drives against Xavier forward Lazar Djokovic (17) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) drives against Xavier guard Desmond Claude (1) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) attempts a shot against Xavier guard Trey Green (0) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia center Russel Tchewa (54) attempts a shot against Xavier forward Abou Ousmane (24) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) celebrates with Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) after Melendez made a three-point basket during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) celebrates with Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) after Melendez made a three-point basket during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia forward Jalen DeLoach (23) dribbles the ball up the court against Xavier forward Abou Ousmane (24) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) dunks during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) attempts a shot against Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) steals the ball away from Xavier guard Quincy Olivari (8) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Xavier guard Desmond Claude (1) drives against Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia head coach Mike White reacts to a call by an official during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia head coach Mike White talks with Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) during the second half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Justin Hill (11) dribbles the ball up the court as Georgia forward Dylan James (13) follows during the first half against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. (4) and Georgia guard RJ Melendez (15) defend Xavier guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 78-76 to advance to the second round of the NIT. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

The scoreboard is shown over the court as Georgia plays defense against Xavier in the first half of the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

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Credit: Jason Getz

Georgia guard Noah Thomasson (3) celebrates as time expires, reacting to a 78-76 win against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA’s NIT at Stegeman Coliseum, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

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