The Sports Inquirer

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Behind a career-high 18 points from Gaby Moss, the Georgia State women’s basketball team won its home contest against South Alabama, 69-54, at the GSU Arena on Thursday night.

The Panthers (11-13, 6-9 Sun Belt) have now won three of their last four contests. The Panthers now sit in a tie for seventh place with Appalachian State and UL Monroe, a pair of teams GSU has beaten once this season and faces again later this season (information courtesy of Georgia State Media Relations).

The Jaguars (4-21, 1-15 Sun Belt) has seen its losing streak extend to six games.

Alisha Andrews (14 points) and Makeba Ponder (12 points) each scored in double figures for Georgia State. Kennesha Nichols and Haley Gerrin each grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for the Panthers. Georgia State shot 44.6 percent from the field in the win and made five three-pointers. The Panthers also outrebounded the Jaguars 38-26.

“The defense was effective for the most part this evening and that plays a big part in most wins, too,” Georgia State head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. “Alisha Andrews does a lot of things for us and has settled in running the team and doing what is needed. Gaby has always been a good shooter and her points will come as she looks for them. She adds to our balanced scoring line-up. Makeba Ponder has a lot of confidence and wants the ball. Teams are paying close attention to her now that she is our leading scorer. A lot of players are making contributions and that is what it takes to win, especially in the February drive to tournaments.”

South Alabama’s Breanna Hall scored a game-high 26 points while Chyna Ellis finished with 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds in the loss. The Jaguars shot 40 percent from the field.

Leading 11-8 at the 11:57 mark of the first half, Georgia State outscored South Alabama 23-15 through the rest of the half to take a 34-23 lead into halftime.

Moss had a game-high 12 points in the first half while Andrews scored seven points for the Panthers. Overall, Georgia State shot 43.8 percent in the first half, making three out of 10 three-pointer attempts. The Panthers also outrebounded the Jaguars 22-15 in the first half.

South Alabama was led by a team-high 10 first-half points from Hall. The Jaguars struggled from the field, only shooting 35.5 percent in the first half.

Consecutive three-pointers from Hall cut Georgia State’s lead to single digits with less than three minutes left in the game, making the score 60-54. However, the Panthers scored the final nine points of the game to secure the victory.