SAN ANTONIO — Georgia freshman guard Sarah Ashlee Barker was unavailable for the 67-53 first-round win over Drexel in the NCAA Women’s Tournament Monday.
A team spokesperson said the reason for Barker’s absence is undisclosed. Barker was not warming up with the team at Bill Greehey Arena.
Georgia head coach Joni Taylor said Barker is not in San Antonio. The Lady Bulldogs await her return later in the tournament. Taylor did not make any comments on the matter other than to say: “I know you have a job to do, and I respect that. I do, too. That is to protect our players, my team, and hvae them ready to go. Please do not ask me any more questions about it. I will not answer anything in terms of Gabby (Connally), (Jenna Staiti) and SA (Baker) and when they’re playing.”
Barker is one of Georgia’s first options off of the bench. She has provided a spark for the Lady Bulldogs throughout the season, with an average of 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Barker missed two previous regular-season games in February. She missed a game against Auburn due to COVID-19 testing protocol after returning to her hometown of Birmingham after the death of her grandmother. She missed the regular-season finale at Florida after suffering a concussion.
In Barker’s absence, Georgia had adequate production from its bench guards. Sophomore Chloe Chapman played 14 minutes (tied for her third-highest total of the season) and scored seven points.
Junior guard Caitlin Hose, who had not played since Feb. 11, entered in the second quarter and had two 3-pointers in five minutes of play.
Junior guard Mikayla Coombs earned her first start at Georgia and played 35 minutes.
Staiti arrived late to San Antonio for an undisclosed reason. She arrived on Sunday after the rest of the team arrived Wednesday. Staiti was on a minutes restrictions and had 19 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes. Connally has been dealing with an ankle injury.
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