SAN MARCOS, Texas - Georgia State saw its halftime lead evaporate by misfiring in the second half and fell, 54-47, to Texas State Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference game.
The visiting Panthers led by six points in the first half and held a 25-23 advantage at halftime. But, horrid shooting of open shots and foul trouble to center Brittany Logan turned the tide. GSU made just 2-of-15 shots to start the second half and it grew to just 4-of-25 shots later in the game as the Panthers missed open lay-ups, open jump shots, open 3-point shots and anything else they attempted. GSU was whistled for just three fouls in the first half, then 12 in the second half, with two quick ones on center Logan being critical as she exited at 18:21 with three fouls and didn't return for seven minutes. With back-up center Haley Gerrin already out injured, that left a thin GSU bench to step up in the paint and Texas State's Ashley Ezeh went off with a 17-point second half.
Georgia State shot a miserable 25% in the second half and a frustrating 29.6% for the game with so many open misses. A team that shoots 71% from the free throw line could shoot even just 57% from the line today on 12-of-21.
The game and momentum shifted when 6-foot-4 Logan exited with three fouls at 18:21 as Texas State went on a 7-0 run to take a 30-26 lead they would never lose. And, when Logan returned she had to be careful and non-aggressive for a while.
Despite its poor shooting, Georgia State hung close, trailing just 40-36 with 6:52 to play. The Panthers made an open lay-up that could have cut it to two, but the passer was called for an offensive foul on a play that wasn't in agreement with GSU's coaches.
It was still a two-possession game with 3:36 at 46-38 on one of GSU's rare baskets.
Georgia State (8-8 Sun Belt, 12-16 overall) was led by Logan's double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds in just 25 minutes. Ashlee Cole came off the bench to add 11 points, Georgia State finished with a 45-44 rebound advantage. This is GSU's lowest-scoring game of the season as the Panthers came in averaging 69 points a game.
Texas State (10-6, 13-14) was led by senior center Ashley Ezeh with 22 points and nine rebounds, with 17 of those points coming in the second half. Senior reserve Jasmine Baugus hit 6-of-10 off the bench to add 12 points.
Georgia State returns to action Tuesday at UALR in a weather make-up game. Since Troy also lost today, GSU still remains in sole possession of fifth place with two games to play. The top eight of the 10 Sun Belt teams earn the bids to all begin on Wednesday, March 12 in New Orleans.
