ATLANTA, GA -- Mikyla Tolivert notched a team-high 19 points and three steals to lead the Panthers to a 58-56 win over Arkansas State on Wednesday night. 

"Gutsy performance tonight, despite missing some key players," head coach Gene Hill said. "You have to have players who are ready to come off the bench and step in when needed, and i'm proud of our girls for doing that."

The Georgia State women's basketball team rallied from a 48-45 deficit after the third quarter to take down the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Panthers have won five of the last six conference matchups. 

Led by Tolivert, the Panthers (14-8, 8-4) had three players score in double figures, including Crystal Henderson with 11 points. Deasia Merrill chipped in as well with a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Alyssa Phillip led the Panthers' defense with four offensive rebounds, despite missing two key post players. Georgia State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 14 second chance points.

Georgia State's defense held Arkansas State to only 36.2 percent shooting from the field, including 16.7 percent from beyond the arc.

How It Happened

Georgia State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 20-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Arkansas State kept adding to that lead, building a 25-14 advantage before Georgia State went on a 17-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Tolivert, to take a 31-25 lead. The Panthers kept that lead for the remainder of the period and enjoyed a 32-26 advantage heading into halftime. Georgia State forced five Arkansas State turnovers in the period and turned them into six points.

Arkansas State then took a 37-36 lead following intermission before Georgia State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Tolivert, to grab a 41-37 lead with 5:33 to go in the third. Arkansas State responded to seize a 48-45 lead entering the fourth quarter. Georgia State played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.

Arkansas State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 54-49 advantage before Georgia State went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Mya Williams' three, to seize a 58-54 lead with 4:14 to go in the contest. The Red Wolves narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Panthers still held on for the 58-56 win. Georgia State pulled down two offensive rebounds to score four second chance points out of 13 total in the period

Game Notes
» Deasia Merrill notched a double-double for the Panthers with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Panthers rallied from a three-point 48-45 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» The Panthers held the Red Wolves to only 36.2 percent shooting from the field.
» Georgia State had a great day defensively, holding Arkansas State to 17 percent from three point land on 24 attempts.
» Georgia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Mikyla Tolivert led the Panthers with 19 points.
» Alyssa Phillip and Deasia Merrill led Georgia State with 10 rebounds apiece.

The Panthers look to extend their win streak on the road at Miami of Ohio on Feb. 10 at 1:00 p.m.