HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Dec. 3, 2006) ? Georgia State was out scored 36-17 in the second period as the Panthers fell at Hofstra 66-48, on Sunday afternoon at the Mack Sports Complex in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) women's basketball opener for both teams. The Pride entered the game receiving votes in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches top 25 polls.

“We didn't have the same fire and intensity in the second half like we did in the first,” said Georgia State head coach Lea Henry, who remains two wins shy of 200 victories at Georgia State in 13 seasons. “Hofstra is a good team, and if we would have played the second half like we did the first, it would have been a much closer game than the final score indicated.”

State led 31-30 at halftime, but connected for 24 percent (6-of-25) in the second period, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range, in snapping its three-game win streak to fall to 3-4 on the season (0-1 CAA). The Pride moves to 5-1 on the year (1-0 CAA) in capturing its fourth straight contest.

Georgia State sophomore center Marcquitta Head (Conley, Ga.) came off the bench to post Georgia State's first-ever triple double with 14 points, a game- and career-high 16 rebounds and a game- and career-best 11 blocked shots. The feat marked Head's sixth career double-double as well. Head's 11 blocked shots is a Georgia State and CAA single-game record. The Panthers totaled 13 team blocked shots, which ties for third all-time in CAA single-game history and second all-time in Georgia State annals.

Senior guard Kelcey Roegiers-Jensen (St. Petersburg, Fla.) added 17 points and seven rebounds for Georgia State before fouling out 4:40 remaining in the game. The Panthers' leading scorer, freshman Danyiell McKeller (Fayetteville, N.C.), was limited to four points but entered the game averaging nearly 17 points per contest.

Center Vanessa Gidden led Hofstra with 18 points and eight rebounds. Forward Lizanne Murphy contributed 16 points and a team-high nine boards. Forward Lana Harshaw totaled 15. Guard Jeanell Hughes finished with a game-high nine assists.

The Pride scored 20 points off Georgia State's 24 turnovers and out rebounded the Panthers, 47-39. Hofstra collected 34 points in the paint compared to 14 for State.

Hofstra opened the second period on a 13-1 run in the first three minutes of the stanza for a 43-32 advantage. The margin grew to 20 points, 66-46, after two made free throws from Murphy with 1:39 remaining. State never found its rhythm offensively, making one field goal in the final eight minutes.

Georgia State will look to get back on track as the Panthers host Savannah State Saturday at 2 p.m.

Box Score

Georgia State (3-4, 0-1 CAA) ? 31-17=48