Jacksonville, Ala.?Michael Moynihan had 16 points and four other players scored in double figures as Georgia State rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat Jacksonville State, 85-78, Saturday in the O'Reilly ESPNU Bracketbuster at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

State (8-19) outscored the Gamecocks (6-21) 45-28 in the second half by shooting 58 percent from the field and going 13-for-15 at the free throw line. Leonard Mendez scored 15 points on five three-pointers, Kevin Lott had 13 and a game-high seven rebounds, Ousman Krubally scored a career-high 12 points and Deven Dickerson added 10.

Moynihan, who scored in double figures for the third straight game, hit a three-pointer that put the Panthers ahead 73-67 with four minutes to play, then made six straight free throws down the stretch. He was 8-for-10 from the line on the night.

“Our guys gutted it out and found a way to win,” said Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes. “We did it by playing much better defense in the second half, and as a result, our offense was pretty good, too.

“We've got a bunch of guys hurt, but others stepped up, like Kevin Lott and Ousman Krubally,” continued Barnes, whose squad played without top rebounder Rashad Chase for the second straight game due to a shoulder injury.

Jacksonville State led by 10 at the half, 50-40, and extended its advantage to 59-45 early in the second half before Georgia State scored on eight straight possessions on a 17-4 run to pull within one at 63-62 on a trey by Mendez at the 12-minute mark. After the Gamecocks answered with a pair of free throws, Lott tied the game at 65-all with a three-pointer.

Lott put the Panthers ahead for good, 68-66, with a pair of free throws with 5:54 left and then hit a short baseline jumper for a 70-66 lead with 5:13 to play. The Gamecocks pulled within one point twice in the final two minutes but State sealed the win at the free throw line.

Jonathan Toles scored a career-high for 23 points for the Gamecocks but managed just five in the second half.

"I challenged them at halftime, saying we've got to make a decision whether we want to move this program forward or whether you guys just want to take a few more games and go home," said Barnes.

The Panthers play their final home game next Wednesday, hosting Towson at 7 p.m. at the Georgia State Sports Arena.

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