January 18, 1999

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) - Coco Miller scored 20 points and No. 5 Georgia, despite a lethargic start, beat Georgia Tech 88-82 Monday in its first game against its intrastate rival in more than four years.

Tech led early, then fell behind but pulled within four points with 14 minutes left at 60-56.

But Georgia (16-1) put together a 10-1 run midway through the second half to take command, with Pam Irwin-Osbolt giving Georgia a 76-63 lead on a 3-pointer with 7:02 left.

Miller hit a jumper and Elena Vishniakova hit a follow-up, giving Georgia an 84-75 lead with 1:17 left.

The Yellow Jackets then closed to 85-82 on Danielle Donehew's 3-pointer with 27 seconds left. Georgia converted three free throws for the final score.

Tawana McDonald had 18 points for Georgia. The Jackets (9-8) got 20 points apiece from Kenya Williams and Donehew, and 18 points and 18 rebounds from Regina Tate.

The Jackets came out strong. When Williams converted a layup off an inside pass from Jaime Kruppa, Tech led 15-5 less than five minutes into the game.

Georgia had runs of 9-4 and 8-2 and took its first lead at 26-25 with 9:26 left in the half on a Kelly Miller layup.

The Lady Dogs took a 37-32 lead with 3:13 to play in the half with the help of five straight inside points from McDonald and by holding Tech scoreless for nearly three minutes. Georgia led 45-38 at halftime.