The Sports Inquirer

Release from Georgia State Athletics:

Georgia State roared to a 84-78 win over South Alabama Saturday at the Mitchell Center in Sun Belt women’s basketball.

For GSU, it was a double-day of fun as it marked a second-straight conference road win scoring more than 80 points. Point guard Alisha Andrews had a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. Freshman forward Kennesha Nichols added a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points. A pair came off the bench to score in double figures as freshman Makeba Ponder drilled a team-high 19 points with 5 of 10 3-point shots, while senior Brittany Logan pounded in 16 points in the paint with eight rebounds.

GSU’s double pleasure included shooting over 50 percent in both halves, with 56.3 (18 of 32 in the first half) and then 58.3 (14 of 24) in the second half. That added up to a 57.1 percent for the game. This was a second straight game over 50 percent (55.1 in Thursday’s road win). The Panthers were 47 percent outside the 3-point line (47.1%). This win was the 250^th career head coaching win for Sharon Baldwin-Tener.

Georgia State (10-12, 5-8) had substantial leads most of the way, but South Alabama kept fighting back thanks to 37 points from guard Marquita Daniels. Visiting GSU got the lead into double figures midway through the first half (28-18 at 9:37) and had it at 13 points at 34-21. But, Daniels got hot and cut the lead back to 34-32 at 5:38. GSU went into the locker room with a 43-39 lead.

In the second half, it was déjà vu as GSU built a quick 10-point lead at 55-45 (14:27) only to see the host Jaguars zoom right back to 61-60 at 7:43. Georgia State then went on an 11-0 run to open it back to 72-60 with five minutes to go. USA made its final surge back to 77-72 at 1:53 and then Andrews softly banked in a 12-footer from the side to build the cushion back.

The Panthers held a 34-27 rebound advantage with 12 offensive boards. GSU passed the ball well with 20 assists. GSU’s biggest problem was 23 fouls called that saw three players with four fouls (Andrews, Logan and Gerrin) down the stretch and limited their minutes.

“We did a great job as a team today and everyone was doing what they were supposed to do in their specific roles,” coach Baldwin-Tener said. “We are not a one-person team and I am proud of them to win two straight on the road in February. We need to take care of ourselves physically with no game Thursday and get ready to battle for the final seven conference games and tournament seeding.”