ST. THOMAS, USVI – Georgia connected on 6-of-8 (75 percent) three-pointers in the second half to overcome a seven-point deficit and defeat the Eastern Kentucky men's basketball team, 76-68, Monday night in the consolation finals of the 2005 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The Bulldogs improve to 2-1 on the young season while the Colonels fall to 1-2.

After taking a 34-32 edge into the break, Eastern Kentucky built its lead to seven, 49-42, on a tip-in by senior Alonzo Hird six minutes into the second half. A three-pointer by freshman Michael Rose at 10:45 then put the Colonels ahead, 57-53. However, Eastern would not connect on another field goal for six minutes. During that time, Georgia netted three trifectas on its way to a 12-1 run to take command of the game.

The Colonels closed the gap to four points on two occasions down the stretch, but a crucial turnover in the last minute of regulation led to a breakaway dunk by Mike Mercer to seal the Bulldog victory. Billy Humphrey came of the Georgia bench to notch 15 points in the final 20 minutes of action, including three three-pointers, to help UGA earn the win in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The first half was close throughout with five ties and 12 lead changes. Freshman Harrison Brown tallied his lone three-pointer of the game seven seconds before halftime to give the Colonels the lead at intermission.

For the third time in three games, a different EKU player led the way in the scoring column. This time, senior Jason McLeish finished with 17 points on 70 percent (7-of-10) shooting from the field. Three other Colonels recorded double figures including senior Matt Witt (13 points), Hird (12) and Rose (12). Meanwhile, Hird needed just one more rebound for his first double-double of the year.

Georgia's Mercer notched a game-high 19 points while Humphrey added 10 rebounds to go along with his 15 points. As a team, the Bulldogs netted 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) of their three-point attempts on the evening. On the other hand, Eastern Kentucky hit only 4-of-16 (25 percent) of its long-range shots, including going 1-for-7 (14.3 percent) in the second half.

Eastern Kentucky returns to the mainland tomorrow and will enjoy a few days rest for Thanksgiving before playing at Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 25. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.