ATHENS — Georgia is counting on its early success in close games to pay off later in the season.
Gerald Robinson Jr. scored 21 points and Georgia overcame poor free-throw shooting to edge Colorado 83-74 on Tuesday night.
Georgia won despite making only 27 of 43 free throws and blowing a first-half lead of 17 points.
Georgia led only 72-70 when Robinson scored on a layup to push the lead to four points with 1:32 remaining. After a turnover by Colorado, Dustin Ware made two free throws for a 76-70 lead.
Travis Leslie had 19 points before fouling out for Georgia (2-0). Jeremy Price had 17.
The Bulldogs beat Mississippi Valley State 72-70 in their opener before holding off the Buffaloes in another close game.
"You have to learn how to win these games," Robinson said. "It's easy to win blowout games, but winning close games brings you together and builds the confidence of everybody, which helps you win games in the future."
Georgia finished 14-17 last season, including a 5-8 record in games decided by no more than five points.
The Bulldogs have more depth this year, thanks in part to the addition of Robinson, a transfer from Tennessee State.
"Our backcourt with Dustin Ware and Robinson played like upperclassmen in the final minutes," said Georgia coach Mark Fox. "They made the right plays and kept us organized. It helps us to have experiences like this. Close, hard-fought games will help us down the road."
Georgia continues to play without Trey Thompkins, the team's leading scorer and rebounder last season who is recovering from a high ankle sprain.
Alec Burks had 23 points for Colorado (1-1), which suffered its first loss under first-year coach Tad Boyle.
"I thought that our fight, our grit and our competition was good, but we settled for way too many jump shots early," Boyle said.
Cory Higgins added 15 points for the Buffaloes.
"We just needed a couple more stops toward the end," Higgins said.
"We've played in hostile environments before. The game was there for us to win, and we just didn't come away with it."
Georgia led 56-49 when Price went to the bench with four fouls. Fox was forced to bring Price back 3 minutes later after Colorado took a 60-59 lead.
Fouls hurt Georgia again when the Bulldogs, leading 68-64, had Leslie foul out. Price responded with a quick basket to help Georgia retain its momentum.
Connor Nolte, Robinson and Leslie had 3-pointers in an early 13-0 run to give Georgia a 16-4 lead.
The Bulldogs stretched the lead to 17 points but collapsed after leading 31-14. Georgia's barrage of fouls, missed free throws and turnovers helped the Buffaloes close the half with a 19-2 run for a 33-33 halftime tie.
Leslie missed an attempt at an open one-handed breakaway jam during the Colorado run, the ball bouncing off the back of the rim out of bounds.
Nate Tomlinson and Levi Knutson completed the Colorado comeback with 3-pointers in the final minute of the half. Colorado scored 15 points off Georgia's 13 turnovers in the half.
"We dug ourselves a hole, but then we got ourselves out of it because our defense really solidified in the last 15 minutes of the half," Boyle said. "I think that (Georgia) is a good team and that we can take this and learn from it."
Boyle was called for a technical foul with 9.9 seconds remaining when Higgins was called for his fifth foul.
"I told our guys if you fight and scratch and claw, I'll do it with you," Boyle said of his technical foul. "It's a tough game out there."