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Stukes, Georgia answer Fresno State's 3-point spree

Mar 15, 2007 - 2:45 AM ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Levi Stukes was almost perfect from 3-point range. He couldn't afford to miss.

Stukes scored a season-high 30 points, making 8-of-9 shots from the arc, to lead fourth-seeded Georgia to an 88-78 victory over fifth-seeded Fresno State in a first-round West Region game of the National Invitation Tournament.

Setting a career high with his eight 3-pointers, Stukes helped the Bulldogs weather a long-distance barrage from Fresno State, which launched 40 shots from the arc, connecting on 18.

Georgia (19-13) jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Fresno State answered with six consecutive 3-pointers to take an 18-17 lead.

Despite hitting nine shots from the arc in the opening 20 minutes, Fresno State trailed at the half, 40-32.

Georgia slowly pulled away in the second half, building the lead to as many as 20 points on a 3-pointer by Corey Butler with 5:09 to play.

Takais Brown added 21 points for Georgia, which hit a season-high 13-of-22 from the arc.

Eddie Miller and Hector Hernandez each scored 21 points - making seven 3-pointers apiece - for Fresno State (22-10).

Georgia will play the winner of Air Force and Austin Peay on Monday at a site to be determined.