ATHENS — Georgia freshman Angela Puleo was unstoppable — for about 40 seconds.

Puleo’s breakaway layup with 1:52 to play gave No. 8 Georgia the lead for good, and her difficult pass less than a minute later set up the basket that sealed the Lady Bulldogs’ 57-51 win over Temple on Friday night.

"She made some big plays," said coach Andy Landers of Puleo, who finished with eight points. "She needs to make more than a couple, though."

Georgia (4-0) led Temple (1-1) until LaKeisha Eaddy’s steal and layup with 4:41 to play put the Owls ahead 51-49 for the first time. But Temple failed to score again.

After Eaddy’s steal and layup, Tasha Humphrey answered with a free throw. Then Puleo’s breakaway layup put Georgia ahead 52-51. After Angel Robinson’s layup with 1:17 to go, the Lady Bulldogs hit three free throws in the last 23 seconds to account for the final score.

"We just had too many mistakes against a tough team like Georgia. We had a defensive breakdown at the end of the game," Temple coach Dawn Staley said.

Ashley Houts led Georgia in scoring with 12 points and added six assists. Robinson scored 11, and Humphrey had a double-double for the 36th time in her career with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Ashley Morris led Temple (1-1) with 21 points, 17 coming in the second half. Eaddy scored 11, and Lady Comfort and Shanea Cotton had 12 rebounds apiece.

"This was fun," Humphrey said. "Our team likes this kind of game, and I think it showed. We haven’t played a lot of games, but I believe this was our best defensive game. I believe our team is developing a mental toughness and a physical toughness."

Georgia bolted to a 21-7 lead, capitalizing on poor shooting by the Owls.

"We defended pretty well for the most part," Landers said. "They got four or five on drives to the basket. We took those away. They kind of got some soft jump shots."

Temple shot 30 percent for the game, but so did Georgia.

"Temple is a really athletic team," Landers said. "Not only are they athletic, but they have size and strength at the forwards. They have quick guards and those 6-foot-2 kids who are quick and strong and aggressive."

Georgia led 45-35 with 11:16 to play when Robinson hit a layup. But Morris rallied the Owls on a 16-4 run to go up on Eaddy’s steal and layup.

"Morris was a quick, quick guard," Houts said. "We knew coming in that she was good shooter."

Staley said she wanted the game in Morris’ hands at the end.

"I wanted her to at least get the ball and make the shot if she could, but at least hit the rim, because we were rebounding so well," Staley said.