While Georgia’s season-opening 72-48 victory over the South Carolina-Upstate wasn’t pretty, the Bulldogs displayed a defensive tenacity that will prove valuable in the NIT Season Tip-Off beginning today.

Against USC-Upstate Friday at Stegeman Coliseum, the Bulldogs showed the ability to defend with intensity, forcing 29 turnovers. Georgia was constantly in the passing lanes, making each possession difficult for the Spartans.

“Overall, I’m ecstatic. Man, did we guard,” Georgia head coach Dennis Felton said. “That’s what we’ve been talking about for three weeks, being a great, great defensive team where we make you feel us from end to end and that aggressiveness is backed up by teamwork.”

The defense had to step up to create a spark against the Spartans in the first half. Offensively, Georgia shot 33 percent from the field in the first half, including 2-11 from the three-point arc.

“Almost mid-way into the first half we started to turn it up defensively,” senior guard Corey Butler said.

“You know you have those nights when you have trouble shooting, but I’m proud of the guys for sticking through it defensively because I think that’s how we’re going to get our wins.”

Butler, along with junior Ricky McPhee and freshman Dustin Ware led the charge on defense, each tallying four steals.

“I thought Corey [Butler] was really, really tough defensively at stretches to not only get stops but to make things happen from turnovers,” Felton said.

Zac Swansey and Travis Leslie lead the team in scoring, each with 11. Swansey did his damage through mid-range jumpers and contested lay-ups. Leslie opted for a more exciting play, rocking the rim on several occasions with monster dunks, including a high-flying slam over Upstate’s 7-foot-3 Nick Schneider for his first collegiate basket.

Tonight’s first-round match-up with Loyola of Chicago (0-1) will be played on Purdue’s home court in West Lafayette, Ind., and a victory will secure a second round spot against the winner of Purdue and Eastern Michigan.

Georgia will have its hands full with J.R. Blount, a senior guard, who scored 42 points Friday night in Loyola of Chicago’s season-opener against Rockhurst, but the team still suffered defeat, 86-79.

“We’re looking forward to [the tournament]” Butler said. “It’s our chance to give it our all and see if we can make another four game run.”