STATESBORO, GA. – In a game with 18 lead changes, perhaps it was only fitting that the winning basket came with one second left by a player on her birthday. Georgia State freshman forward Astaja Tyghter hit a jump shot in the paint near the free throw line to provide a 61-60 win over Georgia Southern.
In a rivalry game between the two Georgia schools, it was also a tie-breaker in the standings as the teams were tied for ninth in the standings and still competing for a tournament bid with three games to go. GSU picks up a “Rivalry Series” point in the competition between the universities in all sports this year.
The game with many turns had its last nail-biting twist after Georgia State took a seven-point lead at 59-52 with 1:33 to play. But, host Georgia Southern said wait. Center Patrice Butler hit a 3-point basket with 1:22, then GSU's 23rd turnover gave Southern the ball back. Butler struck again with a 3-point bomb with 57 seconds. When GSU misfired as the shot clock ran out, Georgia Southern gave the ball to its leader, Angel McGowan. She drove and was fouled with 8.3 seconds, converting both free throws for her 19th and 20th points of the game and a Southern 60-59 lead.
GSU got the ball one last time and a Makeba Ponder pass found the wide-open Tyghter, who swished the ball home.
Georgia State (10-16, 5-12) got the 21 points and 3 rebounds from Tyghter. Junior wing Tatianna Jackson provided a game-high 13 rebounds and six points. Ponder nailed 11 points, including her corner trey with 1:33. Sun Belt leader Madison Newby provided six assists.
Georgia State had a commanding 52-32 rebound advantage with 19 offensive hustle boards.A key for the Panthers, too, was making 11-of-15 free throws (73.3%).
Georgia Southern (7-19, 4-13) was led by 20 points from guard Angel McGowan. Alexis Sams and Patrice Butler added 13 points each. The Eagles bombed away from the outside, making 11 of 33 3-point shots. Georgia State took just 15 treys, but made 6 key 3-pointers.Southern scored 30 points off GSU's 23 turnovers.
"We kept our composure on the road and pulled out a needed win," coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. "Maybe we relaxed a bit too much with the seven-point lead, but it was quite fitting for the birthday girl to make that winning play for us. This was a hard-fought game between two teams who had a lot on the line and were fighting all 40 minutes. I am proud of this team."
Tyghter, from Orlando, Fla., said: "I was wide open on the play and didn't hesitate with my shot. It was a great pass. I had confidence in my game tonight. This was a hard-fought game that both teams wanted to win, so it feels really good to get the win."
Georgia State's 52 rebounds were one shy of its season best (53) in its last win (over Texas State).Tyghter shot 10-of-15 for the game in 31 minutes and is 23 of 39 from the field the past four games.
Georgia State returns to action on Saturday in Atlanta against a team in the race for the final tournament bid, Appalachian State at noon in the Sports Arena.
