ATLANTA (Feb. 14) – Georgia State shot 54 percent in the second half en route to earning a 71-65 Colonial Athletic Association win over Northeastern on Wednesday night at the Georgia State Sports Arena.

The host Panthers went on a 9-0 run to go from one down at 49-48 with 6:08 to up 57-49 with 3:45 left. Then, State calmly made all eight of its free throws in the final minute to secure its first ever win over Northeastern. During the 9-0 run, Ron Larris made a three-point basket, Leonard Mendez was fouled shooting a three and made three free throws and Ryan McBride made a 25-foot trey with the shot clock running out.

Georgia State (9-17, 5-11) got a personal-best 21 points from sophomore guard Mendez and 19 points from senior forward Lance Perique on 8-of-11 shooting. State shot 84 percent from the free throw line with 16-of-19 made. Each team had 32 rebounds.

Northeastern (9-18, 7-) had its two-game win streak ended, but not without a fight. The visiting Huskies hit 12-of-25 three-point shots and had closed a 10-point lead down to just two points with 8.2 seconds left after that 12th trey. Four Huskies scored in double figures with Eugene Spates scoring 16 points with four treys. Adrian Martinez added 11 points while Bobby Kelly and Matt Janning scored 10 points.

“We got our offense and defense more on the same page tonight,” said head coach Michael Perry. “We were patient and got our good shots on offense and hustled on defense with steals (10) and baskets off turnovers (24 points). And you usually have to make your free throws at the end to win a CAA game.”

The game included nine lead changes and four ties. Georgia State led by five twice in the first half, but Northeastern came back to lead by seven and take a one-point lead into halftime, 29-28. Thus, this marked the Panthers fifth win of the year after trailing at halftime.

In the second half, Northeastern had an 8-0 run to open a 37-30 lead. But, Mendez sparked a run to bring State back to a 37 tie at 14:46. The teams traded the lead until Georgia State seized it for good in its run at the six-minute mark.

Georgia State will play host to an ESPN BracketBuster game on Saturday at 2 p.m. when Southern Conference foe Elon University comes to Atlanta. That afternoon game is also Lettermen's Day and Homecoming at Georgia State.