Tennessee Edges Georgia in Overtime Thriller

Vols' defensive strategy pays off in chaotic finish at Stegeman Coliseum

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:55am

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Tennessee basketball defeated Georgia 86-85 in overtime on January 28th, with the Vols' defense making a crucial stop in the final seconds to secure the victory. The game featured a chaotic finish, as Georgia opted for a layup instead of a game-tying 3-pointer, allowing Tennessee to hold on for the win.

Why it matters

This hard-fought SEC road win keeps Tennessee in the hunt for a top spot in the conference standings, while Georgia missed an opportunity to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume with a marquee home victory.

The details

With Tennessee leading 86-83 in the closing moments of overtime, Georgia's Marcus Millender drove for a layup instead of attempting a 3-pointer to tie the game. Tennessee's defense, led by guard Bishop Boswell, allowed Millender to score the layup, knowing the Bulldogs would run out of time before being able to attempt another shot. The Vols' frontcourt duo of J.P. Estrella and Felix Okpara also played a key role, combining for 14 of Tennessee's season-high 26 offensive rebounds.

  • Tennessee and Georgia were tied 75-75 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime.
  • With 0.6 seconds remaining in overtime, Georgia trailed 86-83 and opted for a layup instead of a 3-pointer.

The players

J.P. Estrella

Tennessee's starting forward, who had 17 points and 9 rebounds in the win.

Felix Okpara

Tennessee's 7-foot center, who had 6 points and 11 rebounds.

Bishop Boswell

Tennessee's guard who played a key role in the Vols' defensive strategy in the final seconds.

Marcus Millender

Georgia's guard who drove for a layup instead of attempting a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Rick Barnes

Tennessee's head coach who debated whether to foul in the final seconds but trusted his defense to make the stop.

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What they’re saying

“Our coaches did a good job talking to us, telling us not to foul, let them have the 2. As a collective we knew we needed the win and we talked it out in the huddle. He drove, and I let him go. It worked out for us.”

— Bishop Boswell, Tennessee Guard

“When it gets under 5 or 3 (seconds), or somewhere in there, we could have fouled so they wouldn't get a 3 off. But there are so many other variables that come into the game. We felt like we were going to go down giving our best defensive effort and see if it's good or not.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach

“I was loving it. They did the layup, I looked right over at Bishop and went like 'this' to him. It was a great feeling when he went up for the layup.”

— J.P. Estrella, Tennessee Forward

What’s next

Tennessee will look to build on this road win when it hosts Alabama on February 1st, while Georgia will try to bounce back at home against South Carolina on January 31st.

The takeaway

Tennessee's disciplined defense and willingness to trust its strategy in the final seconds paid off in this thrilling SEC road victory, showcasing the Vols' ability to win close games away from home as they continue their push for an NCAA Tournament berth.