ATHENS — Georgia basketball faces the equivalent of a full-court press with its remaining SEC schedule and an NCAA tournament appearance still within reach, even after the team took a home-court hit on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs failed to take care of business at home in Stegeman Coliseum in a critical showdown with Mississippi State, falling short 76-75 in gut-wrenching fashion.

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. played what Coach Mike White said was perhaps his best game with 23 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds — until his one turnover in the final seconds with the Bulldogs (16-8, 4-7 SEC) needing a basket.

Style points and close calls don’t factor into the NCAA tourney metrics— this will be seen as a Quad 1 loss that has dropped UGA three spots in the “NET” rankings to 34th.

Read more at DawgNation.com.