It was far from easy, but No. 15 Georgia clinched the SEC East title Saturday and a berth in the conference championship game with a 19-10 home victory over Kentucky.

The Bulldogs (9-2, 7-1 SEC) extended their winning streak to nine, and will represent the East in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3 in Atlanta. It’s Georgia’s first title game appearance since 2005.

Averaging 35.8 points coming in, Georgia scored a season-low in points and committed three turnovers. But the Bulldogs’ defense, ranked fourth in the nation, came through late in the third quarter.

Linebacker Christian Robinson recovered a fumble with 1:13 to go in the third at the Kentucky 10. Quarterback Aaron Murray found Marlon Brown on a 7-yard touchdown pass – Georgia’s first touchdown of the game – on the opening play of the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs a 19-10 lead.

Blair Walsh kicked four field goals for the Bulldogs, who saw leading rusher Isaiah Crowell injure his left ankle on the game’s opening drive. He did not return. Second-leading rusher Carlton Thomas did not play due to what the university called “personal reasons.” Both Crowell and Thomas rushed for more than 100 yards last week against Auburn.

Freshman Brandon Harton rushed for 101 yards (89 in the second half) for Georgia, which travels to in-state rival Georgia Tech next Saturday.

Kentucky (4-7, 1-6) took a 10-6 second-quarter lead on Maxwell Smith’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Robinson. The Wildcats host Tennessee next Saturday.