ATLANTA?Xavier Hansbro scored 14 points, including two key free throws with 14 seconds left, as Georgia State held off Clark-Atlanta, 66-61, in an exhibition game at the Georgia State Sports Arena.
The game was back-and-forth for much of the second half with Clark-Atlanta leading 61-59 with under two minutes before Georgia State point guard Joe Dukes tied the game with layup with 1:22 left and then put State ahead, 63-61, with another basket with just 28 seconds to play. Bernard Rimmer came up with a blocked shot on the defensive end, and then Hansbro sank his two free throws to seal the win.
“It was another tough game but definitely another good learning experience, and we're happy to come away with the win,” said Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes. “Give credit to Clark-Atlanta. They came in here and played us very tough, which I knew they would.
“We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm still excited about the potential of this team. With so many new players, it's going to take time.”
Although Hansbro was the only Georgia State Panther in double figures, every player scored for State. Leonard Mendez contributed nine points, Dukes had eight points and five assists, Trey Hampton added eight points and James Fields scored seven. Chris Echols pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
“James Fields continues to show me some good things for a freshman,” said Barnes. “Trae Goldston came in and made a couple of big shots. Joe Dukes made plays at the end, but he's got to be more consistent throughout the game.
“We got the ball inside more, which I was happy to see, but we didn't get anything much of it because our big guys missed some layups. And we've got to be much better at the free throw line.”
Georgia State made just 10 of 24 attempts at the free throw line.
Najee Lane led Clark with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Kevin Johnson added 15 points.
Clark-Atlanta led 32-29 at the half, and then scored the first bucket after the intermission for a five-point advantage, but from there, neither team led by more than four in a second half that featured nine lead changes and seven ties. Georgia State appeared ready to seize control after Rimmer's dunk put State ahead 59-55 with four minutes left, but Clark answered with back-to-back three-pointers by Jourdain Blackmon and Najee Lane to move ahead, 61-59, with 3:09 to play.
Georgia State opens the regular season Nov. 14-16 at the NABC Classic in Minneapolis, Minn., where the Panthers will face Bowling Green, Concordia St. Paul and host Minnesota. State's home opener is Nov. 19 vs. Southern Poly.
