Bulldogs roll in exhibition

ATHENS — Sophomore Travis Leslie wasn’t in his usual box score slot for Friday’s exhibition against North Georgia.

Changing his number from 22 to 1, Leslie led the Bulldogs with 21 points in the 87-53 win.

“He had a lot of points in the open court (Friday),” Georgia head coach Mark Fox said. “He had a lot of passes that led to open layups and dunks, but he has a nose for the ball.”

Leslie was but one question mark Fox began to answer Friday night. The athletic guard was ruled academically ineligible with eight games left last season, averaging six points per game and struggling with turnovers and foul trouble.

Fox said he pushed Leslie harder than any player this offseason.

“We’re not trying to harness his ability,” Fox said, “just trying to direct it in the right way. He’s a young guy. He’s got a bright future if he uses his talents the right way.”

Although it was just an exhibition, Leslie responded with an efficient night, shooting 9-of-13 with five rebounds, one turnover and a single foul.

Leslie was successful Friday night,but wasn’t the only one with something to prove.

Fox got the chance to coach the Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum for the first time, saying, “When I came to the arena, it was a special feeling because it was the first time.”

Building chemistry between Fox and his players will be a “continuous process,” this season, Fox says, but Friday was a good start.

“We were real comfortable,” sophomore forward Trey Thompkins said. “His main thing is for us to play hard, and we did. Nobody was really worried about the difference between him and (head coach) Dennis Felton.”

Thompkins (11) and guard Ebuka Anyaorah and sophomore Drazen Zlovaric (10), joined Leslie in double figures. Georgia’s new triangle offense ran smoothly as the Bulldogs shot 61 percent.

“It’s a hard offense to scout, and if we execute, it will be very effective for us,” Thompkins said.

Defensively, the Bulldogs stifled North Georgia, holding the Division II team to 34 percent from the field. Georgia recorded 12 steals, four blocks and outrebounded the Saints 42-30.

“We came out with a win, everybody is happy,” Thompkis said. “We played the way we’re supposed to and everything is good so far.”

The Bulldogs have a week to prepare for their season opener, vs. New Orleans on Friday.