ATLANTA (Nov. 19) – Georgia State saved its best for last. That would be 57 points in the second half as the Panthers rolled to a 94-87 victory over Winston-Salem State in a Sunday matinee at the Georgia State Sports Arena.

The hosts trailed by five points at the half, but finished strong by shooting 61.5 percent in the second half to notch the first win of the season.

Georgia State (1-2) had four players in double figures, led by sophomore forward Rashad Chase with 24 points, 18 of those in the second half, and 11 rebounds. Freshman guard Trae Goldston provided the outside spark with 22 points that included four-of-six three-point baskets. Sophomore guard Leonard Mendez produced 19 points with three-of-six three-point baskets and senior forward Lance Perique added 17 points and seven rebounds. State is still without 6-9 starting center Deven Dickerson (asthma) and 6-8 forward Justin Billingslea (academics) as that pair will add even more strength later.

Winston-Salem's punch came off the bench as freshman guard Darius Floyd pumped in 20 points with three-of-five three-point baskets. Guard Brian Fisher finished with 22 points and five three-point baskets. Guard Roy Peake netted 13 points and five assists, while forward David Moore had 10 points. Inside, forward Darrell Wonge led the Rams with 10 rebounds.

“We were able to control the tempo and score inside some today,” Coach Perry said after the game. “Chase was particularly strong today and his effort sparked the others. I saw some improvement out of our new guys today, too.”

The tempo Coach Perry refers to is important as Georgia State won for a 21st straight time now when it tops 80 points and has won 55 of its last 58 when scoring 80 or more points.

Winston-Salem State scored the first six points of the game and led for nine minutes before the host Panthers rallied for the first lead at 17-15 with 10:31 to go. A trio of three-point baskets by reserve Floyd propelled the visitors back on top, 26-22, before Goldston's five straight points put Georgia State back up, 28-26. The game was tied for a fifth time at 35 with two minutes to go when Winston-Salem had a 7-2 run to take a 42-37 halftime lead. Three Rams' eventually fouled out (Wonge, Moore and Carter), while Cartwright fouled out for Georgia State.

In the second half, Fisher hit another three to give the visitors their largest lead of the game at 47-37 at 18:32 and the Rams held a 51-42 advantage with 16:39 to play. State immediately went on a 12-2 run to gain a 54-53 margin with 11:08 to play. But, Fisher wasn't done yet for Winston-Salem and knocked down two more treys to give the Rams a 68-61 margin at the 7:00 mark.

Georgia State got a basket by Chase, followed by three's from Goldston and Mendez and it was back ahead, 69-68 at 5:25. A baseline jumper by Mendez gave State the lead for good at 71-70 with 4:26 to go and State would never relinquish it.

Georgia State will look to make it two wins in a row quickly when they return to the hardwood on Tuesday night at home against Alabama State at 7 p.m. in the Sports Arena.

NOTEBOOK:
Georgia State hit 31-of-43 free throws today, tying for the 10th most made in a game in school history…Lance Perique hit his first two free throws to run his streak to 14 consecutive before a miss later…Rashad Chase had a 24-11 double-double for personal bests in both categories. It was the third double-double for the sophomore… He upped his season average to 17.3 per game. Chase leads the team with an 8.3 rebound average, getting 13 offensive boards and 12 defensive…Mendez' 19 points were a personal best for him, topping his 14 vs. Hofstra last February…Goldston's 22 points topped his 10 in the season opener to give him double figures in two of his first three games, despite not starting…Perique's 17 points today actually lowered his season average to 19.3 per game as he leads the team.