In a lopsided season opener, the Georgia Bulldogs dominated Bellarmine 104-59 on Monday night at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, marking the head coaching debut for Bellarmine’s Doug Davenport. The game, played on November 3, 2025, showcased Georgia’s strong start to the 2025-26 campaign while highlighting challenges for Davenport as he steps into his new role after his father’s retirement.
Davenport Steps into the Spotlight
Doug Davenport took over as Bellarmine’s head coach in March 2025, following the retirement of his father, Scott Davenport, who led the program for 20 years with over 400 wins. This debut came against a tough SEC opponent, testing the Knights’ rebuilt roster right away.
Bellarmine returned key players like forward Jack Karasinski and guards Tyler Doyle and Kenyon Goodin, but added nine newcomers to mix with seven veterans. Davenport focused on team unity during preseason, starting group workouts in June. He stressed the need for experienced players to lead and maintain high standards.
Despite the preparation, the Knights struggled against Georgia’s size and speed. Bellarmine shot poorly from the field and turned the ball over often, leading to easy points for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s Dominant Performance
The Bulldogs, coming off a 20-13 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025, looked sharp under head coach Mike White. They built on last year’s success, even after losing stars like Silas Demary Jr. to UConn and Asa Newell to the NBA.
Georgia relied on returning starter Blue Cain, who scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Transfers like Kanon Catchings from BYU and Justin Bailey from Wofford added depth, combining for 35 points. Freshmen Kareem Stagg and Jake Wilkins provided energy off the bench with strong rebounding.
The game started close, but Georgia pulled away with a 28-10 run in the first half. They led 52-28 at halftime and never looked back, shooting 58 percent from the field while holding Bellarmine to 35 percent.
Here are key stats from Georgia’s standout players:
- Blue Cain: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
- Kanon Catchings: 15 points, 7 rebounds
- Justin Bailey: 14 points, 3 steals
- Kareem Stagg: 12 points, 8 rebounds
Challenges for Bellarmine Ahead
Bellarmine finished last season with a 5-26 record and was picked to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Davenport aims to rebuild with a focus on development and motivation, drawing from his experience as an assistant at schools like Xavier and Louisville.
The loss exposed areas for improvement, such as defensive breakdowns and rebounding. Bellarmine grabbed only 22 rebounds compared to Georgia’s 45. Davenport noted post-game that his team must adapt quickly to high-major competition.
Looking forward, Bellarmine’s schedule includes more tough matchups against power-conference teams like Kansas State. These games provide valuable experience but highlight the gap in resources during the revenue-sharing era of college sports.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The game’s turning point came early in the second half when Georgia extended their lead with a flurry of three-pointers, pushing the margin to 30 points. Bellarmine’s offense stalled, scoring just 12 points in the first 10 minutes after halftime.
Davenport used the game to rotate players, giving minutes to newcomers and testing lineups. While the score was not close, he praised his team’s effort and sees it as a learning opportunity.
| Category | Georgia | Bellarmine |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 104 | 59 |
| Field Goal % | 58% | 35% |
| Rebounds | 45 | 22 |
| Assists | 22 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 15 |
Broader Impact on College Basketball
This matchup reflects ongoing trends in college basketball, where mid-major programs like Bellarmine face uphill battles against well-funded SEC teams. Georgia’s win boosts their momentum heading into conference play, aiming for another tournament bid.
Davenport’s debut adds to a wave of coaching changes in 2025, including transitions at schools like Indiana and others. His family legacy at Bellarmine, where he played from 2006 to 2010, brings a personal touch to the program’s new chapter.
Fans and analysts will watch how Davenport navigates the season, especially with recent rule changes allowing more player movement via the transfer portal.
What did you think of Davenport’s first game as head coach? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and pass this article along to fellow basketball fans for more discussion.
