ATLANTA (Nov. 27) – Georgia State raced past Murray State, 87-72, in the opening game of the Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament on Friday afternoon. Georgia State plays Troy in the championship game on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena. Troy defeated Morgan State, 60-54, in the second game.
The host Panthers (2-1) had four players in double figures, led by a rare triple-double from junior forward Angelique Burtts. Burtts produced just the third triple-double in school history with her 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Senior forward Danyiell McKeller netted 21 points and nine rebounds for a third consecutive over 20 this season. Point guard Crystal Johnson contributed 15 points and five assists, while junior forward Chan Harris added 14 more points and eight rebounds.
The visiting Racers (4-1) sustained their first loss of the season with four players in double figures, led by Mallory Schwab with 15 points. Mariah Robinson contributed 13 points, Rachel Isom 12 more points and Kristen Kluempers scored 10.
Georgia State trailed 39-33 at halftime with foul trouble (14 fouls and six players with two each) and cold shooting (28.6% on 14-for-49). But, the second half was totally different with a 54-point burst and 57.7% shooting. The host Panthers hustled to a 44-31 rebound advantage for the game, buoyed by 21 offensive boards.
Murray State, who came in averaging 80.8 points and nine three-point baskets a game, made just four-of-13 outside the arc in today's loss. The Racers shot 52% in their opening half lead, but just 40% in the second half and one-of-eight three-pointers.
“We were frustrated with fouls in the first half and we challenged the team to play like they really can,” Coach Lea Henry said. “We were rushing our shots even though we were dominating with 49 first-half shots to their 21 shots. We beat a good team today. Murray State plays hard and tough and this was a big challenge.”
Georgia State led early by eight and were leading 12-8 just six minutes into the game when McKeller went to the bench with her second foul, not to return until the second half. Murray State rallied to tie the game for the first time at 27 with 5:12 in the half and built seven-point leads twice, the last with 1:09 in the half. Murray State hit 14-of-17 free throws in the first half to just 4-of-4 by State.
In the second half, Georgia State got the game tied at 48 in the first three minutes of the half, got the lead at 50-48, and Murray State tied it at 50 with 15:50 on the clock. The Panthers outscored the Racers 14-4 over the next five minutes, sparked by McKeller, and held a 64-54 advantage at 10:30. But, Murray State wasn't going down without a fight and came back to tie the game for a fourth time at 68 with 4:31 left. A trey by Johnson gave GSU the lead it would never lose. It was 72-70 with 2:36 left when GSU dominated the finish with a final 15-2 run.
“Danyiell McKeller makes all the difference in the world to us,” Henry said. “She knocks down the tough shots and helps the whole team execute better. Angelique (Burtts) was terrific and Crystal (Johnson) really stepped up. We only had eight turnovers today and with this tempo and pace that is impressive.”
Burtts triple-double goes into the record books alongside center Marcquitta Head, who had 14 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocked shots on Dec. 3, 2006 vs. Hofstra. Guard Denise Lloyd had stood alone since her game on Feb. 13, 1981, with 21 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds.
NOTEBOOK – The 87 points are the most for GSU since scoring 87 vs. Towson on Feb. 11, 2007…McKeller has scored 20 or more points in all three games of the season and nine times in her career…The 11 assists by Burtts matched Johnson's 11 assists last year…The aggressive Panthers scored 24 points off turnovers today.
