Chapel Hill, N.C. (Nov. 19) ? Georgia State battled hard against No. 6 North Carolina, but dropped a 99-64 decision at Carmichael Auditorium on Monday night.
“We fought hard tonight and our effort was great,” Coach Lea Henry said after the game. “They are a veteran team and we are not and it showed at the beginning. We didn't take care of the basketball or the score would have been a lot closer. We stayed focused, played with energy and played with enthusiasm. If we play all our games with this effort, we will get a lot of wins.”
UNC (6-0) topped the 90-point mark for the fifth time this season with its relentless defense that forces turnovers and make steals. State's offense put up the second highest total this season vs. UNC as Syracuse scored 72 in its 97-72 loss.
Georgia State (1-3) had 27 turnovers, but harried North Carolina into 20 turnovers in a high-intensity game on both ends of the court. But, UNC got to the free throw line 44 times, making 31, compared to State getting just 12 free throws and making eight.
Junior guard Brittany Hollins led State with 14 points, nine assists and five steals. Freshman Danielle Anderson got her first playing time at the win and responded with 13 points on five-of- nine shooting. And, guard Monica Mann added 11 points and seven assists.
The Panthers held UNC star Erlana Larkins to a season-low five points. But, six other Tar Heels found double figures led by Rashanda McCants with 18 on eight-of-19 and guard Cetera DeGraffenreid with 16 points.
The game started with Georgia State running off six consecutive points for a 6-0 led in the first minute and a half. But, then the Tar Heels defense dug in to steal passes and go on a 20-point run to open a double-digit lead after seven minutes. State shot 15-of-31 in the first half (48.4 percent), but had 16 turnovers. State didn't get to the free throw line until more than 15 minutes had been played and UNC had shot 13 free ones by then. UNC shot 18 free throws to six for State in the opening half. The teams went to the locker room with UNC leading 59-36.
UNC outscored the pesky Panthers 40-28 in the second half. “Carolina is an outstanding team and their defense will challenge any team this year. They are well-coached and it shows.”
Georgia State returns to Atlanta for the Thanksgiving week and plays at home Saturday against Jacksonville State at 1 p.m.
