Georgia women's basketball takes down Kennesaw State behind Brown's impressive first start

Georgia women’s basketball beat Kennesaw State 84-42 on Wednesday at Stegeman Coliseum. The Bulldogs received a major boost from sophomore transfer Milan Brown’s 19 points. She took advantage of her first start as a Bulldog and made her case to the coaching staff. Brown was all over the court, pressuring Kennesaw State’s offense and making plays on the other end. She was consistent through all 26 minutes and looked comfortable in the starting lineup. Head coach Ayla Guzzardo said Brown has stepped up to every challenge this season, referring to it as “just what she does.” “She’s a gamer,” Guzzardo said. “She's showing you a little bit of her 3-point game. So, any time that you're a three-level scorer, [you’re] hard to guard. Her athleticism and her skill set is unmatched.” Guzzardo had full faith in the sophomore guard, who transferred from Wake Forest this season. Brown said it means a lot to have a coach who supports her growth. “Playing for a coach who believes in you is everything,” Brown said. “I don't think necessarily coaches can take confidence, but they can definitely instill it.” That confidence was on full display. Guzzardo said Brown has emerged as a vocal leader, using her communication to support her teammates. “Wherever my role is, then I'm gonna do the same thing because it's really a team effort to get the wins, and that's what we're looking for,” Brown said. Her voice matched her shooting. She shot 63.6% from the field and made her only 3-point attempt. “I was able to show just a glimpse of what my [3-point] game’s capable of being,” Brown said. “I definitely choose my threes wisely because it's not the main part of my game, but it's important when I'm open that I'm hitting those to keep the defense honest, and I can't wait to show more.” The moment that she hit the 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, Stegeman erupted. This shot reinforced the fans’ trust in Brown and her basketball intelligence. The difference from her previous game was stark. Against Nicholls a few days earlier, Brown finished with 12 points. Wednesday, she closed out the first half with 14. She also led the team with four rebounds. Brown said it doesn’t matter whether she keeps her starting spot. She cares more about her team’s unified success and filling whatever role is needed. “Whatever my team needs is what I'm going to do,” Brown said. “And I think the great thing about us and why we'll be successful is everybody embodies that mindset.” The team’s camaraderie will look to translate to another win in Athens, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 14 as Georgia travels to play Ohio at 1 p.m.