JONESBORO, Ark. - Georgia State shocked first-place Arkansas State 76-74 while making nine 3-point baskets in this Sun Belt Conference inaugural match-up Tuesday.
The visiting Panthers, missing three former starters with injuries, used three new starters in surprising previously unbeaten ASU (4-1 Sun Belt, 10-7 overall).GSU shot 54.8% in building a 42-38 halftime lead and finished at 48% for the game.
GSU's only senior, guard Kendra Long, led with 23 points, including 5-of-6 3-point baskets. Long made two clutch free throws with 36.5 seconds. Junior 4-foot-11 point guard Alisha Andrews added 13 points with 3-of-5 behind the arc to go with four assist and three steals. That pair, the only two regular starters, stepped up to carry the load for the others on this night.
Sophomore Gaby Moss came off the bench to add 11 points, including 4-of-5 free throws with a pair with 25.6 seconds being key. Kayla Nolan added eight points, six rebounds and four steals, despite a sprained ankle in practice over the weekend.
Freshman Jamila Mayfield's first NCAA start resulted in five points, five rebounds and three blocks in just 17 minutes with foul trouble. Maryam Dogo added seven points and seven rebounds in filling in for the two injured post players, 6-foot-2 Haley Gerrin and 6-foot-4 Brittany Logan..
Georgia State (6-10, 2-2) controlled the tempo most of the game, despite nine lead changes and six ties.GSU has played three of its first four Sun Belt games on the road, including this first-ever game with the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.
ASU made its run to remain unbeated in the Sun Belt, opening its largest lead of the game at 58-53 at 10:03. But, two 3-pointers by Long and another by Andrews pulled GSU back in front 62-60 at the 8:00 mark.
For a brief while with five minutes to go, it appeared neither team wanted to make the plays. GSU missed two front ends of 1-and-1 free throws and ASU missed four straight free throws. And, these were the top two free throw shooting teams in the Sun Belt, each shooting better than 70% for the season from the line.
Andrews' 3-point shot with 3:55 surged GSU back up 69-66. But, ASU eventually tied it back at 69 with 1:39 on a free throw by Aundrea Gamble. Gamble led ASU with 24 points, making 9-10 free throws. Hanna Qedan added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The final 1:18 saw Moss make two free throws, Mayfield a FT, Long two free throws and Moss two more free throws to stave off the Red Wolves.
GSU missed its two big 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-2 post players as ASU held a 46-36 rebound advantage with 20 offensive rebounds. The Panthers limited ASU to 36.2% shooting, despite ASU making seven 3-pointers and 38% outside the arc.
"The kids played with intensity tonight and with high energy and we needed every bit of it," coach Sharon Baldiwn-Tener said."I sensed they were playing to win tonight and weren't going to be denied. We got to the loose balls tonight. And, we shot the ball well to start the game and then in a stretch in the final 10 minutes to get the lead back."
"This was a great team win over a very good basketball team on its home court and it should give us a little confidence," she said. "Despite the 76-74 I think we played pretty good defense. Missing some of our big people hurt us rebounding, but we hung in there."
Georgia State returns to action in a Saturday home doubleheader at the Sports Arena. The Panthers play host to Sun Belt foe UALR in a noon tip time, with the men to follow at 2 p.m.
