BOONE, N.C. – Georgia State rallied to earn an 80-75 win over Appalachian State in Sun Belt women's basketball in Holmes Center.

Visiting GSU, without three starters, fell down 12 points in the first quarter (23-11 at 2:50) and still trailed at halftime 42-37. Georgia State took its first lead at 49-48 with 6:04 in the third quarter with a 7-0 run spurred by five points from Morgan Jackson. The Panthers led 63-57 after three quarters. GSU scored a season-best 26 points in the third quarter by making 9-of-16 shots.

In the fourth quarter, host Appalachian State tied the game at 69 with 4:37 and again at 71 with 3:46. Haley Gerrin scored four straight points to push GSU up 75-71 with 2:10. App State closed to two, but then GSU threw a long out of bounds pass for a lay-up on the other end by Madison Newby and a 77-73 lead with just a minute. GSU closed it out with free throws, including two clutch ones by Morgan Jackson with 33.4 seconds to up it from a one-possession 77-74 game to 79-74.

Georgia State (8-9, 3-5) saw junior Gerrin make her first start of the season and respond with 20 points on 6-of-9 field goals and 8-of-9 free throws in just 19 minutes. That was three points shy of her career best. Senior Morgan Jackson did have a career-best with her 17 points on 6-of-8 field goals, 3-of-4 3-point baskets and the clutch two free throws. She had 15 points earlier this season in a GSU win. Junior Alyasia Mitchell added 13 points and 8 rebounds, while freshman PG Madison Newby finished with 10 points and seven assists.

"I am proud of the team today, playing hard, playing unselfish, and playing tough," head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. "They were fighting for each other as a team today. We made our free throws today and that is always an important stat. A conference win on the road is always good and now we have to keep getting better and keep fighting hard."

App State was led by 17 points from Bria Carter and 16 points from Madi Story.

GSU's win was punctuated with good shooting. That shooting included 29-of-58 from the field (50%) with 5-of-15 3-pointers. The Panthers nailed 17-of-21 free throws (81%) in that crucial area. GSU improved to 5-3 on the road.

The Panthers' teamwork included 13 assists, 10 steals and 40 rebounds (12 offensively).

After four games in eight days, GSU will be off Saturday and return to action on the road next Thursday.