ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Georgia's twin sisters, Kelly and Coco Miller, are among college basketball's best-known siblings. Another sister act from Alabama-Birmingham was almost the Lady Bulldogs' undoing in the opening round of the Women's Preseason NIT.

UAB's Deanna Jackson scored 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and older sister Felicia Jackson added 10 points as the Blazers pushed Georgia (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 3 Associated Press) to the limit before losing 76-75 Monday night.

In the end it was clutch free throws by the Millers -- Kelly scored 22 points and Coco 17 -- that helped Georgia advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals at No. 18 Virginia Tech, a 60-45 winner over Liberty.

"That No. 23 (Deanna Jackson) is a great offensive player," Georgia center Tawana McDonald said. "On the offensive boards, she really killed us."

Georgia forward Angie Ball admitted that she failed in her job to guard Deanna Jackson.

"I knew she was quick, and I knew she was left-handed," Ball said. "My assignment was to contain the drive. Obviously, I didn't do a very good job of it."

Jackson, the 1999 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, was 10-for-20 from the field and made two 3-pointers in the last 17 seconds when the Blazers were trying to hang on. Eight of her rebounds came on the offensive end.

"UAB has some athletic players," said Georgia coach Andy Landers, "and she is certainly one of them."

The Millers each made two free throws in the final 22 seconds as Georgia survived a rare early-season test. A year ago, Georgia started 14-0 and won every game by at least nine points.

"I'm glad we played that way and won 76-75," Landers said. "It's better than playing that way and losing 76-75. We basically had to operate under pressure all night. Our offense did a reasonably good job."

UAB coach Jeannie Milling was disappointed but proud.

"Nobody gave us a shot to win this game and I think our kids did a good job working hard to prepare for the game," she said. "We did some really good things against a top-notch team. I think this is the start of something good this season."

UAB led 35-33 at halftime and 57-52 with 9:57 remaining on a three-point play by Deanna Jackson.

Georgia rallied to take a 59-58 lead with 7:57 to play on a layup by Kelly Miller.

Mia Thrash's runner with 6:22 left gave UAB its last lead, 60-59. Coco Miller's turnaround in the lane gave Georgia a 61-60 lead with 6:03 left.

Consecutive baskets by the Millers, at 3:08 by Kelly and at 2:34 by Coco, put Georgia up for good.

Kelly Miller's two free throws with 22 seconds left gave Georgia a 74-69 lead. But Deanna Jackson made a 3-pointer, and after Coco Miller made two free throws with 13 seconds to go, Jackson closed out the scoring with another 3-pointer.