KENNESAW, GA. (Nov. 14) - Georgia State opened the season with a 77-52 romp over host Kennesaw State Saturday evening at the KSU Convocation Center.
Georgia State got 22 points and 11 rebounds from 6-foot-2 Chan Harris as well as 22 points and seven rebounds from senior forward Danyiell McKeller. Newcomer Angelique Burtts added 15 points and seven assists in her first game in the blue and white.
The Panthers' full-court defense forced 28 turnovers and had 12 steals in showing the form that ranked them No. 10 in the nation last season in steals. Georgia State shot 57.6 percent in the first half and 55.6 in the second half for a solid game of 56.7 percent. State's defense held Kennesaw State to 39 percent from the field. Georgia State's dominance saw them scored 46 points in the paint tonight.
"We felt we could have a good inside presence tonight with our size and experience and we did, especially in the first half," Coach Lea Henry noted postgame. "Our guards were patient and worked the ball inside well. I am pleased with our offensive execution."
The up-tempo Panthers offense pleased the coach as well. "That is absolutely what we want. I thought we executed our half court well this evening," Henry continued.
"We played with confidence, played with poise and shot the ball well in getting a road win," Henry concluded.
Georgia State started strong with a quick 6-0 burst and built the margin quickly to 19-4 over the first seven minutes of the game with Harris going on a run scoring nine of 11 points for the Panthers in the early stretch.
The host Owls never got the lead back into single digits and State built the cushion to 42-20 by halftime, with Harris having 18 points in the opening half.
The visiting Panthers roared back out of the locker room in the second half by scoring the first six points and increasing the margin to 28 points at 48-20 just two minutes into the second half with Harris and McKeller adding quick buckets.
Georgia State got to use all the players on the roster and the closest Kennesaw State could ever get was 60-43 with seven minutes to go before State had another burst to get it back over 20 points to stay.
Point guard Crystal Johnson had her usual ball control game, adding eight points, four assists and four steals in controlling the pace. "I give Crystal credit for playing full court with pressure, baseline to baseline, and getting the job done tonight."
The taller Panthers held a 36-22 rebound margin, but it could have been worse if the 57 percent of shots weren't going in for State. Freshman Tiffany Anderson came off the bench for 17 good minutes with five pointss, four rebounds and three assists in her first game in college.
Georgia State returns home for the home opener next Sunday (Nov. 22) when they host top 15-ranked Florida State at the GSU Sports Arena.
NOTEBOOK: The opening-day win marks a second straight season the Panthers have done so, following last year's season-opening win at Clemson, 82-75...The Panthers' 56.7% for the game on field goals was the best since 54.5% in a win over Northeastern last year on Jan. 8, 2009...State's passing game was excellent with 18 assists from six different players...The Panthers were +14 on rebounding with a decisive 13 offensive rebounds...State's 12 steals is right on pace with last year's final 11.8 per game average that ranked no. 10 in the nation...Junior forward Chan Harris had a double-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds for her sixth double-double of her career. Her 22 points tied her career high set against Winthrop last year and her 11 rebounds were the second most in her career...Harris is a career 50.2% shooter and started off '09-10 with a 60% game with 9-of-15 from the field to go with 80% from the line (4-5)...McKeller notched her 38th career double-figure game with her 22 points. That marks the 7th 20-plus point game for the senior forward...Junior college all-america transfer Angelique Burtts made her impressive debut on the wing with 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. The 15 points is her personal-best in the NCAA, topping her 12 in a game as a freshman at Middle Tennessee, but she was a prolific scorer last year in JUCO with 24 double-figure games and 10 games of 20 or more points...Burtts' seven assists tied her personal-best from JUCO. The versatile Burtts is capable of playing at a variety of positions and filled in at point guard to give Johnson a rest in the opener...The win was the 289th of Coach Henry's career as she closes in on No. 300...The Panthers played all 10 players who dressed, as junior Traci Haltiwanger and sophomore All-CAA rookie Jylisa Williams did not dress out.
