ATLANTA (Nov. 28) – Georgia State rode its pressure defense to a 61-45 romp over Troy for the championship of the Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament Saturday afternoon. Morgan State defeated Murray State, 83-74 in the consolation game.
Georgia State (3-1) used 16 steals and 27 forced turnovers in today's win that was sparked by a 23-0 first half run to go from a 17-17 tie at 11:50 to a 40-17 lead at 1:55 in the opening half. During that 10:12 of holding Troy without a basket, Georgia State forced seven turnovers, had five steals and blocked a shot. Of course, that defense has been State's trademark after ranking #10 in the nation last year with 11.8 steals per game.
Senior Danyiell McKeller led the way again with 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals to secure the tournament MVP award. Point guard Crystal Johnson was a leader with 10 assists, eight points and two steals. Junior forward Chan Harris added 10 points in just 16 minutes. Brittany Graham added a trio of three-point baskets for nine points to go with seven assists.
Troy (3-2) was paced by forward Donette McNair's 13 points and six rebounds to go with Kirsten Smith's 12 points and eight rebounds.
“We made some adjustments and got after them more in the first half and that 23-0 run was certainly the difference in the game,” Coach Lea Henry noted. “The 40-point first half carried us and gave everyone a chance to play some today.”
“We are committed to our defense and what we are trying to do,” Henry continued. “We are long and have size to play a zone or quick and athletic to play man, whether we do either full-court or half-court.”
Georgia State and Troy traded early leads and ties in the first eight minutes when Georgia State upped the pressure and took over the game. McKeller's steal and lay-up started the long run where she scored eight points and Johnson had six points during the 23-0 domination.
The Panthers grew the lead to 25 points at 51-26 with 11:53 to play and had increased it 27 points at 61-34 with 4:02 left when the four freshmen got the final minutes as Troy cut into the final margin.
The 45 points allowed is a season best, lowering the 52 allowed to Kennesaw State. Georgia State has won its three games by 25, 16 and 15 points, losing only by 13 to No. 9 Florida State.
In addition to McKeller's MVP award, the all-tournament team was made up of Angelique Burtts and Crystal Johnson of Georgia State, Donette McNair of Troy, Corin Adams of Morgan State and Mallory Luckett of Murray State.
The Panthers play next on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Presbyterian.
NOTEBOOK: Crystal Johnson's 10 assists are the second time in her career she has had double figure assists in a game, one shy of the 11 she had last year vs. Northeastern. Johnson has just 8 turnovers in the four games this year...Danyiell McKeller has scored 82 points in the first four games (20.5 per game) and has 41 career double-figure games. She is closing in on round numbers in multiple categories, needing 3 points for 900 career, needing 12 rebounds for 500 career and needing 1 steal for 100 career...The Panthers' 57.1% first half gives them five halves of the eight played shooting 50% or better...Angelique Burtts had six steals to take over the team lead with 12 on the season. Burtts had a nine-steal game in JUCO last year and a six-steal game as a freshman at Middle Tennessee, so taking the ball away is another of her skills...Chan Harris leads the team in shooting with 19-for-35 from the field. Harris' 29 rebounds are one better than McKeller for the team lead in that category...The Panthers came into the game leading the CAA in assists at 18 per game and had that number tonight...The Panthers have outrebounded opponents by 23 this season, a sign of their inside strength.
