ATLANTA, GA -- Miklya Tolivert led the Panthers with 16 points, but it was not enough as Georgia State fell 60-52 to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at home Thursday.
Mikyla Tolivert led the Panthers (15-11, 9-6) with 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Crystal Henderson tacked on seven points, seven assists and two steals and Deasia Merrill chipped in as well with eight points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
Henderson pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Georgia State, grabbing 16 boards and turning them into 18 second chance points.
The Georgia State defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing 24 Coastal Carolina turnovers while committing 15. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Tolivert's three steals led the way individually for the Panthers.
How It Happened
Georgia State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 14-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Georgia State then cut the Chanticleers lead to 21-14 before going on a 5-0 run to narrow its deficit to 21-19. Coastal Carolina responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Panthers trailing 25-21 heading into halftime.
Georgia State's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Panthers faced a 41-28 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Georgia State played well near the basket, scoring four of its seven points in the paint.
Coastal Carolina kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 43-28 advantage before Georgia State went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Tolivert's layup, to shrink the deficit to 43-37 with 7:26 to go in the contest. Coastal Carolina responded and outscored the Panthers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 60-52. Georgia State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Georgia State women's basketball team got a 16-point performance from the bench
» The Georgia State bench came alive by scoring 16 points to its scoring output.
» The Georgia State defense forced 24 turnovers.
» Georgia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Mikyla Tolivert led the Panthers with 16 points.
» Georgia State got a team-high 11 rebounds from Deasia Merrill.
The Panthers are back in action for senior day against Old Dominion on Feb. 24 at 5:00 p.m.
