ATLANTA (Nov. 2, 2006) ? Georgia State sophomore guard Brittany Hollins (Columbia, S.C.) scored a game-high 24 points as the Panthers fell to national preseason No. 24 Division II foe Clayton State, 86-71, in exhibition women's basketball action Thursday evening at the GSU Sports Arena. The contest was the first exhibition game for both teams.

Freshman forward Danyiell McKeller (Fayetteville, N.C.) posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Panthers. Junior guard Keisha Monroe (Spring Lake, N.C.) totaled 10 points and freshman forward RaShay Rawls (Augusta, Ga.) came off the bench to score 10.

Five players scored in double figures for the Lakers, led by 18 points from senior guard Crystal Brown. Senior forward Alecia Humphrey posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards. Senior guard Sharon Wiles collected 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and seven steals. Sophomore guard Marie St. Fort came off the bench nailing 3-of-5 from 3-point range and finished with 11. Junior forward Shantel Ragin also came off the bench to score 10.

The veteran and experienced Lakers (11 juniors and seniors) held the young Panthers (3 juniors and seniors) to 34 percent shooting in the second period and out scored Georgia State 49-31 in the stanza. After the Panthers staked an eight point lead, 48-40, three minutes into the frame, Ragin and Humphreys combined for a 9-0 Lakers' run to put Clayton State in front 49-48 with 16:05 remaining.

The score was tied at 53-all with 13:13 on the clock when Wiles' jumper ignited a 19-3 spurt for the Lakers, capped by three straight 3-pointers from St. Fort and senior guard Basia Bukowska to put Clayton State ahead 72-56 with 8:01 on the clock. Georgia State would get no closer than nine points, 78-69, the rest of the way as the Lakers made 8-of-9 free throws over the final two minutes to help seal the win.

In the first half, Georgia State held a 13-point lead with 2:25 remaining, but Clayton State fought back to go into halftime down by only three, 40-37.

For the game, Georgia State shot 40 percent (30-of-75) from the floor and 9 percent (1-for-11) from 3-point range. The Panthers made 10-of-18 free throws. Clayton State was 49 percent (32-of-66) from the floor and 43 percent (6-for-14) from beyond the arc. The Lakers made 16-of-24 free throws. Clayton State out rebounded Georgia State, 48-43.

Georgia State begins its regular season with five consecutive games on the road, beginning at Miami on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Clayton State (1-0) -- 37-49=86