Georgia began the Tom Crean era this evening with an exhibition matchup against the UAB Blazers in beautiful Birmingham. And while it wasn’t always (or even often) pretty, the Hoop Hounds managed to leave fabled Bartow Arena with a 56-54 win.
Rayshaun Hammonds led all UGA scorers with 13 points, 5 of them in the final two minutes. Hammonds’ 3 point play drew the ‘Dawgs within 1 at 51-50. He then hit a spinning basket just before the 1:00 mark to stake the visitors to a 56-53 lead. UAB sank a free throw to draw within 2, then inbounded with 8 seconds left on the clock and a chance to win at the buzzer.