An injury-laden Georgia State squad upset the Sun Belt’s top ranked team, Arkansas State 76-74, dealing the Red Wolves their first conference loss of the season.
Georgia State, (6-10 overall, 2-2 Sun Belt) playing in its third consecutive road game, surged late against Arkansas State (10-7 overall, 4-1 Sun Belt) with the help from the team’s only senior, Kendra Long, and a new combination of starters.
Long led the Lady Panthers in scoring with 23 points, and had a team-high of five 3-point baskets out of six attempts. Georgia State also added 29 points from players coming-off the bench including 11 from sophomore Gaby Moss and 8 from junior Kayla Nolan.
Tuesday also marked the first start for 6-foot-4 freshman Jamily Mayfield, who managed five points and five rebounds in her 17 minutes on the court.
As the Lady Panthers improve to 2-2 in the Sun Belt, coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said, “This was a great win over a very good basketball team on its home court, and it should give us a little confidence.”
While Georgia State led into halftime 42-38, Arkansas State battled back through nine lead changes and six ties: the last of which came with 1:39 remaining. However, free throws made by Gaby Moss ultimately powered the Lady Panthers ahead in the final 1:18.
“We shot the ball well to start the game, and then in a stretch in the final ten minutes to get the lead back,” Baldwin-Tener said.
Haley Gerrin, Brittany Logan, and Ashley Watson did not join the team in Jonesboro, Ark. due to injuries. Until Tuesday’s victory, Gerrin had appeared in all of Georgia State’s games this season including ten starts.
The Georgia State women return home Saturday at noon for the Samaritan’s Feet barefoot doubleheader. Women’s head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener and men’s coach Ron Hunter will go without shoes for their respective match-ups against Arkansas-Little Rock.
By Alex Osiadacz
