Mobile, Ala. - The Georgia State women's basketball team lost its first road game in the Sun Belt Conference, falling at South Alabama, 65-57, on Saturday afternoon at the Mitchell Center.
Georgia State was its own worst enemy today, shooting just 30 percent in the second half (20-of-63) and 31 percent for the game (20-of-63). GSU was ineffective outside the arc, making just 4-of-22 attempts.
"It is hard to win a ball game, home or away, shooting 30 percent and that's on us for the missed easy shots," coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. "I was proud to see the kids kept playing hard until the end, but the ball was not going into the basket for us today and we have to shoot better to win, so I am very disappointed in the loss."
Host South Alabama, who leads the Sun Belt making seven 3-point baskets a game, hit 8-of-17 today and that proved to be a difference-maker, too. "We knew they like to shoot the three and in the first half just stood around and watched them do that (5 of 10 made), We got out a little better in the second half."
Georgia State (5-9, 1-1) got 17 points from Kayla Nolan (7-of-17) with 12 points (4-of-13) and eight rebounds from Kendra Long. Gaby Moss added nine points, but hit just 1-of-6 outside the arc, well below her 47% rate. Alisha Andrews, the Sun Belt's leader in assists, had her average five assists today, but her teammates missed lay-ups kept her total at five. Andrews also had five steals to lead the defense that had 13 steals. In addition to the 13 steals, GSU forced 21 turnovers.
South Alabama (4-8, 2-0) won for a second straight time at home in the Sun Belt. Rachel Cumbo, averaging nine points a game, scored 20 points today, hitting 4-of-4 treys in the first half and 4-of-6 for the game. Breanna Hall came off the bench to add 12 points on 2-of-3 treys and Colby Davis added 10 more points.
The first half saw six lead changes and four ties, but GSU last led at 18-17 at 11:53. GSU trailed just 24-22 at 6:34, but USA finished on a 9-4 run over the final span of the first half to build a 33-24 lead on Cumby's fourth trey. USA led 33-28 at halftime.
The key run of the second half came at 12:51 after GSU closed to 43-39. Host USA hit three consecutive 3-point baskets to open a 52-41 lead at 8:37..
South Alabama had its largest lead at 58-45 at 4:54, but GSU wasn't quite done. The Panthers clawed back to six at 60-54 with still 2:18 to play. A 3-pointer by Long made it 61-57 with 58 seconds. USA's Breanna Hall was forced to shoot well-guarded from the baseline as the shot clock was at :01 and it went it to push it back to six points with 28 seconds.
Georgia State returns to action next Wednesday with a game at Western Kentucky.
