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Women's Basketball Charlie Taylor/Sports Communications

Women's Basketball Wins Final Exhibition, 68-49

ATLANTA (Nov. 10, 2009) – The Georgia State women's basketball team finished the exhibition season with a 68--49 win over Georgia Southwestern State Tuesday evening at the GSU Sports Arena.

The host Panthers used their size advantage for a 57-34 rebounding advantage, while having four players score in double figures. Senior forwards Danyiell McKeller and Shay Rawls each had double-double games with McKeller netting 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with Rawls' team-high 17 rebounds and 10 points. Junior transfer Angelique Burtts chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Sophomore point guard Crystal Johnson contributed 11 more points and six assists.

Visiting Georgia Southwestern was led in scoring by forward Brittany Reynolds with 10 points to go with six rebounds and guard Terra Branch with 10 points.

Georgia State once again relied on its defense as they forced 21 turnovers, made eight steals, blocked four shots and held Georgia Southwestern to 29 percent from the field.

In the two exhibition games, State allowed 39 points and 49 points for an outstanding average of 45 per game, while holding the two opponents to 27 and 29 percent shooting.

Tonight, the host Panthers struggled at the beginning with cold shooting as the lead changed hands seven times with five ties through the first 13 minutes. The key run started at 7:54 with Southwestern ahead by two at 20-18, when State's defense stepped up with a flurry of steals to spark a quick 11-0 run over six minutes and grab a 29-20 advantage. State held a slim 31-25 lead at the halftime break.

A halftime pep talk and chalk talk evidently roused the Panthers as they roared out in the second half with a 12-1 run. That made it 43-26 lead just three minutes into the second stanza and State never looked back. The Panthers built the margin to 21 points at 57-36 with 7:30 left and it was never under 20 again until the final three-point basket in the closing seconds made it a 19-point win. Georgia State held 23-point leads three different times.

“We rushed ourselves too much and missed a lot of easy shots in the first half and had way too many turnovers,” Coach Lea Henry said. “But the second half was much better as we shot 51 percent and set our tempo quickly.”

Coach Henry saw the positives: “I like the way the team played aggressively, with energy and with poise and confidence. The seniors led us with their maturity and focus.”

But, she saw plenty of room for improvement: “There is no reason for us to have 24 turnovers and we have got to get our offense into the high 70's or low 80's on a consistent basis. We rushed shots and shot the ball off-balance. We'll learn to be patient with the open shot.”

Tonight, Coach had some praise for several players. “Shay (Rawls) gave us a tremendous lift. She plays hard and established herself. We respect her attitude and effort. Tough rebounding is her style. Danyiell (McKeller) is level-headed and keeps us poised and can really score. Crystal (Johnson) is important to our offense and her steady play keeps us going.”

Georgia State finishes the exhibition games with a 2-0 mark in preparations for the season opening game on Saturday evening at Kennesaw State at 5 p.m.



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Players Mentioned

Crystal Johnson

#23 Crystal Johnson

G
5' 8"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Crystal Johnson

#23 Crystal Johnson

5' 8"
Sophomore
G