Georgia
IOWA CITY, Iowa (03/20/2026) — The Georgia Lady Bulldogs' season came to a hard-fought end on Friday, as they fell 82-73 to the Virginia Cavaliers in an overtime battle at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Despite a torrid shooting display in the first half, Georgia could not hold off a relentless Virginia squad that ultimately seized control in the extra period.
The contest was a back-and-forth affair featuring nine ties and four lead changes, but Virginia’s execution in the final minutes proved to be the difference, ending a promising run for the Lady Bulldogs.
How It Happened
Georgia started strong, with Savannah Henderson knocking down a three-pointer just 47 seconds into the game to open the scoring. The first quarter quickly turned into a shootout. Virginia answered and built a lead, fueled by guard Kymora Johnson, who drained consecutive three-pointers late in the period to give the Cavaliers a 24-16 advantage heading into the second.
The Lady Bulldogs responded emphatically. After Virginia extended its lead to 26-19, Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf ignited the offense. Theuerkauf was unconscious from beyond the arc, single-handedly pulling her team back into the game. She connected on her first three-pointer with 9:03 on the clock and proceeded to hit four more in the quarter. Her fifth three-pointer of the period, a deep shot from 26 feet out with 2:12 remaining, gave Georgia its first lead since the opening minutes, 41-40. A late jumper from Mia Woolfolk sent the Lady Bulldogs into halftime with a 43-42 edge.
The third quarter saw Georgia extend its lead to as many as seven points, capped by another three from Henderson to make it 55-48 with 2:44 left. But Virginia refused to fold, chipping away at the deficit. A last-second three-pointer from Johnson cut Georgia’s lead to 59-56 entering the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a tense, possession-by-possession battle. After Georgia took a 61-56 lead on a Woolfolk jumper, the Cavaliers mounted their final charge. A jumper from Caitlin Weimar gave Virginia a 68-67 lead with 4:39 to play. The game hung in the balance until Virginia’s Romi Levy drilled a clutch three-pointer with 1:29 remaining, tying the score at 71-71 and ultimately forcing overtime.
Turning Point
The game was decided in the five-minute overtime period. Virginia’s Sa'Myah Smith scored on a layup just 42 seconds into the extra session to give the Cavaliers a 73-71 lead they would not relinquish. The Lady Bulldogs' offense stalled, unable to find the rhythm it had earlier in the game. Virginia’s defense tightened, and the Cavaliers methodically pulled away from the free-throw line, sealing the 82-73 victory as Georgia was held to just two points in overtime.
Star of the Game
While complete box scores were not immediately available, Virginia’s Kymora Johnson was the clear catalyst for the Cavaliers. She was a constant threat from the perimeter, hitting timely three-pointers in the first, third, and fourth quarters to either build a lead or halt Georgia's momentum. Johnson was also instrumental as a playmaker, setting up crucial scores down the stretch, including the go-ahead layup in overtime and hitting the final free throws to cement the win.
For Georgia, Rylie Theuerkauf’s second-quarter performance was spectacular, keeping the Lady Bulldogs in the game with a barrage of deep threes.
What It Means
The loss concludes the 2026 season for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. Despite the disappointing finish, the team showed resilience and offensive firepower in a high-stakes environment, battling a tough opponent to the wire. The performance provided a glimpse of the squad's potential, built around sharp-shooting and tough interior play.
The Virginia Cavaliers advance with the hard-earned victory. Their ability to weather Georgia's offensive storm and execute with precision in the game's most critical moments demonstrated the poise required to succeed in postseason play.