ATLANTA (Feb. 17) ? Georgia State's three-game home win streak was halted by 19-5 Virginia Commonwealth, 76-43, on Sunday afternoon in the “Think Pink” game to benefit breast cancer awareness.
It appeared the game was going to be a tight battle as the teams traded baskets and runs through the first 12 minutes with VCU holding a 17-16 lead with 8:37 left in the first half. But, some Georgia State foul problems and a hot VCU squad saw the visiting Rams go a 14-2 spurt over the next five minutes to take control 31-18 with three and a half minutes to play. The Rams finished that first half strong to take a 40-24 lead into break.
When the Rams started the second half with an 11-4 run in the first four minutes, that made it 51-28 and VCU was safely en route to the win.
VCU, playing its first game without one of its stars in 6-foot-4 Quanitra Hollingsworth, had others step up to fill the void and hold a commanding 47-32 rebound advantage with 21 offensive boards. The Rams also attacked and got to the free throw line 24 times, making 19.
Georgia State's
Brittany Hollins had five steals today to break the school career record of 247 held by Brownie Caldwell (1985-89). Hollins now has 250 career steals with 72 this season. She is one point shy of 900 for her career in scoring.
Georgia State (7-17, 4-9) got 11 points, six rebounds and five steals from Hollins, while senior center
Vatai Smith added 11 points and freshman guard
Traci Haltiwanger contributed 10 points. The Panthers hit just 1-for-9 to start the game and finished just 31.6 percent for the game. Smith becomes the 11th different Georgia State player to score in double figures this year. Smith's seven rebounds and
Danyiell McKeller's seven led the team.
VCU (19-5, 9-4) got 18 points from Krystal Vaughn that included 10-for-10 at the line. La”Tavia Rorie contributed 16 points.
“We did not play sharp today,” Coach
Lea Henry said. “VCU was more aggressive today and their experience showed. We've got to be ready Thursday to get back on the winning track and score better.
Brittany Hollins is probably the best overall defender we've had here, she works hard and she has good basketball instincts.”
Georgia State also welcomed back its returning letterwinners today and honored its 2008 CAA Legend Joyce Harrell. Harrell still holds the school's rebounding record and is one of just two players in school history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.
Georgia State will next play host to UNC Wilmington on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Sports Arena.
