As the snow fell outside of Stegeman Coliseum, the No. 17 Florida Gators were falling inside at the hands of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. Thanks to 20 points and 8 rebounds by Porsha Phillips, Georgia led for all but about seven minutes, winning 84-75.

“We played well together, we were tougher tonight and came through,” Phillips said.

Georgia found its spark on offense that it had missed at times this season. Ashley Houts and Christy Marshall joined Phillips in double figures with 14 points apiece. Danielle Taylor added 12 and Angel Robinson put in 10 points and led all rejoinders with 9.

Georgia was quick out of the gates, building a double digit lead before halftime. But a Florida three by Sha Brooks as time expired cut the lead to 45-38 heading into intermission.

Florida seemed to be riding the momentum of Brooks three as they began the second half on a 21-9 run, while forcing eight Georgia turnovers. But Georgia would answer with a 14-0 run – eight of which were provided by Phillips – to take a 68-59 lead and seizing control of the contest.

“It was a very fast paced game, went basket for basket and was a fun game to play,” Houts said. “We showed that we could compete with anybody, and we beat a really good team here with Florida.”

For Taylor is was her last game at Stegeman Coliseum as she represents the lone senior on the Lady Dogs squad. Taylor was the spark early on as she scored all 12 of her points in the first half.

“It was a big deal coming out here and getting a win over Florida because they’re a great basketball team,” Taylor said. “Since it was my last game against a big team it is a great thing and I appreciate my teammates playing really well.”

The attention from the victory will quickly turn to the upcoming SEC tournament where Georgia will, more than likely, have to win at least two games to be invited to the NCAA tournament. Georgia coach Andy Landers doesn’t know how many, but knows that they must get it done.

“We need to win games,” Landers said. “We need to play as many games as we can play and the more of that that occurs, the better off we are.”

“It would appear that we are learning to fight and that means that we are figuring out how to make plays,” he said.

Added Houts: “We’re going to have the right frame of mind to go in there and put back to back games together and fight and have fun.”

The Lady Dogs will face Kentucky Thursday at 3:30 from Little Rock, Arkansas, the site of the 2009 SEC tournament.