Raleigh, N.C.-Georgia State fell at NC State, 69-53, in the season opener for both teams Thursday at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. Ousman Krubally had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Panthers, who were tied with NC State with 13 minutes to play before the Wolfpack managed to pull away.

Georgia State (0-1) trailed by just three at the half, 32-29, and tied the score on a layup by Joe Dukes with 13:44 left. The Panthers trailed 41-39 with 11 minutes left when the Wolfpack scored 11 straight points over a four-minute span to take a 52-41 lead.

Field goal shooting and rebounding were very close, but NC State went to the free throw 35 times in the game, to just 12 trips for the Panthers. The Wolfpack's top player, forward Tracy Smith, had 18 points and 11 rebounds as he went 10-for-12 from the line.

"It was a pretty good game for about 30 minutes, but we let it get away," said Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes. "Our guys gave great effort, but we came here to win a game, not just play hard.

"We got in foul trouble and we weren't able to keep them off the line, and that was a key to the game."

Krubally's double-double, the first of his career, came off the bench after starter Trey Hampton got in early foul trouble. Xavier Hansbro added 13 points and a career-high nine rebounds. But Panther guards Joe Dukes and Trae Goldston, the team's top two scorers a year ago, combined to shoot 5-for-18 from the field.

Dukes, a preseason all-CAA selection, was held to seven points but contributed six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

"Our post players, for the most part, did a good job, but our guard play was not what it needed to be to win on the road," said Barnes.

"It was a good experience for us to play an ACC team on their home floor. I saw good things out there that we can build on and some things we need to work on. We'll get back in the gym and go to work."

Transfer Marques Johnson, playing his first game in a Georgia State uniform against his former team, had two points, two rebounds and an assist.

The Panthers trailed 27-17 with just under four minutes left in the first half but pulled within three at the intermission, 32-29. Kevin Lott  hit a three-pointer, Krubally made a pair of layups and then Hansbro hit from three with 40 seconds left.

Georgia State's home opener is next Tuesday, Nov. 17 vs. Carver Bible College at 7 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena.

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