Lady Dogs defeat Florida

ATHENS, Ga. - A surprise pre-game visit from five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards helped inspire Sherill Baker, who didn't take long to show off in front of the former Georgia star.

Baker, who broke Edwards' school career steals record last week, was surprised when Edwards presented a commemorative ball to the senior before the Lady Bulldogs' game against Florida on Sunday.

Edwards didn't just present the ball; she made Baker steal it. Baker added two more steals in the first 30 seconds, setting the pace for No. 17 Georgia's 89-70 victory over the Gators.

"I think Teresa got her excited," said Georgia coach Andy Landers. "I know that Sherill has a lot of admiration and respect for Teresa."

Added Landers: "When she starts the game with such energy, it's similar to putting a 48-volt battery in a car. All you need to do is turn on the switch and it goes."

Baker had 20 points and four steals for Georgia (11-3 overall, 2-0 Southeastern Conference). But Baker was most excited about the surprise from Edwards.

"I had no idea," Baker said. "I was excited to see her. She's a legend."

Baker, a senior, continued her aggressive pace even after a first-half collision left her with a large bump on her forehead.

Baker had two more steals in the second half to extend her record to 352. She passed Edwards' mark of 342 from 1982-86 with six steals in the Lady Bulldogs' win at Mississippi on Thursday.

Tasha Humphrey led Georgia with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Cori Chambers and Janese Hardrick each added 13 points.

Humphrey had only seven first-half points in 11 minutes while limited by two early fouls.

Georgia led by 11 points when Humphrey, the SEC's scoring leader (19.8 points per game), left with two fouls midway through the first half. The Lady Bulldogs still led by 11 at 45-34 at halftime.

"A lot of people think we're a one-person team, but I came out of the game and the score didn't fluctuate at all," Humphrey said.

Said Landers: "I was really pleased that we were still up by 11, but on offense and rebounding we suffered. Then she came back out for the second half and you saw the difference."

Humphrey had five points in Georgia's 11-0 run to open the second half. Baker capped the run with a steal and a basket.

"I'm very proud of Sherill," Humphrey said. "You think about whose record she broke. Teresa Edwards is a five-time Olympian. That makes it very special."

Florida (13-2, 1-1) had its 11-game winning streak end, despite 23 points from Dalila Eshe and 14 points from Sha Brooks.

Florida coach Carolyn Peck said her team couldn't match the intensity of Baker and the Lady Bulldogs.

"I think that Georgia played their level of intensity to the top to start with and I think we came in passive," Peck said. "We made two quick turnovers from the start and then it just rose from there."

Georgia made 7-of-13 3-point shots in the first half, including three by Chambers and Hardrick.

Florida, losing for the first time since Nov. 23 at Florida State, never recovered. Georgia led 56-34 at the end of the run and kept a comfortable lead the rest of the game.

The Gators were unable to match their school-record 12-game winning streak in the 1993-94 season.

Florida fell to 3-19 all-time at Georgia's Stegeman Coliseum.