Kentucky beats Georgia to improve winning streak to 18 straight
Published 12:00 am Monday, March 3, 2003
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Kentucky kept its winning streak alive by turning up its defensive pressure.
Marquis Estill had 16 points for the second-ranked Wildcats, who forced five straight turnovers during a game-deciding run to beat No. 21 Georgia 74-66 on Sunday for their 18th straight victory.
Chuck Hayes added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (24-3, 14-0 Southeastern Conference), who clinched a share of the Eastern Division title.
Ezra Williams had 17 for Georgia (17-8, 9-5), which had won four straight.
The decisive spurt started on two free throws by Estill, which gave Kentucky the lead for good at 56-54. The Bulldogs went six straight possessions without scoring, and the final five of those ended in a turnover.
The Bulldogs were playing their first game without assistant coach Jim Harrick Jr., who was suspended Friday after a former player accused him of paying part of his expenses and committing academic fraud.