ATLANTA (Jan. 27) ? Georgia State's defense set the tone for its 73-42 non-conference victory over Winthrop on Tuesday night at the Sports Arena.
Georgia State (10-8) is ranked in the top 10 in the nation in steals and turnovers forced and that was the key to tonight's win as the Panthers gobbled up 17 steals, forced 30 turnovers, blocked 9 shots and held Winthrop to 17.5% shooting.
The Panthers got a career-best night from sophomore Chandra Harris, subbing for the team's leading scorer and rebounder Danyiell McKeller, out for her fourth straight game.
The 6-2 Harris poured in 22 points on 7-10 field goals and 8-9 free throws, while making four steals and blocking two shots. Guards Jylisa Williams and Brittany Hollins added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Point guard Crystal Johnson, who leads the CAA in assists at 5.5, had six assists to support her task.
Winthrop (7-11) could make just 10 of its 57 shots with Ashley Haugtvedt and Franchesca Davenport each scoring seven points to pace the Lady Eagles.
“I think we played with energy tonight and it appeared our defense might have frustrated them,” Coach Lea Henry said. “It was fun to see everybody on the roster contribute something in this win. And, I know Chandra wasn't pleased after her game Sunday and wanted to step it up more. She obviously did that.”
Georgia State moved out to a quick 15-5 lead through the first six and a half minutes. Winthrop had closed to one point at 20-19 with 2:06, but host State finished on a 7-0 run to take a 27-19 lead into halftime.
State came out in the second half with a 15-4 run in the first five minutes to open a gaping 19-point lead at 42-23.
Georgia State's 42-point defensive effort was the third time this year it has held a team to 42 points. The 31-point win was its fourth of the year of 20 or more points.
The Panthers shot 54 percent in the second half and 51 percent for the game, its second of the season over 50 percent.
Georgia State will play its third game in five days when it plays host to CAA first-place Old Dominion at 6 p.m. in the Sports Arena.
NOTEBOOK: The Panthers entered the game No. 9 in the nation in steals (12.4 per game) and upped that average with their 17 tonight. The defense has made 10 or more steals in 13 games this season...State is now 10-1 when leading at halftime, with ODU overcoming State's one-point lead in Norfolk...The Panthers are 8-0 this season with 15 or more assists, including the 16 assists in this game...Jylisa Williams kept her streak alive with six straight double-figure games and 13 of the last 15 games...Brittany Hollins moved on up to 14th in school history in scoring with her 66th career double-figure game and has 1,125 for her career...Crystal Johnson upped her league-leading assist total to 100...Chandra Harris had her fourth career double-double game and her second in the past four games...Brittany Graham hit two more three-point baskets to up her team-best total to 34 and will move into the top 10 season bests with her next one made.
