ATLANTA-Xavier Hansbro scored a career-high 25 points and Trey Hampton had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Georgia State basketball team defeated Shorter, 72-68, in a exhibition game Tuesday at the GSU Sports Arena.
The game was not as close as the final score as the Panthers held a 17-point lead with three minutes to play before Shorter rallied, primarily against the GSU reserves.
"We did some things well, but some other things were not so good," said Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes. "We were getting good looks, but we missed a lot of easy shots, and we were a little too quick to pull the trigger on the threes. But our inside players did a good job tonight."
Hansbro, a senior from Trezevant, Tenn., connected on 12 of 21 from the field while grabbing six rebounds. His previous high was 16 points, achieved twice last season.
Hampton was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals. Ousman Krubally added 11 points and six boards.
"Xavier has really improved," said Barnes. "He's playing with confidence, and we're going to him more. Trey Hampton is solid, and Ousman always gives us a spark."
Georgia State's perimeter play is expected to be the team's strength, but the Panther guards did not shoot well as GSU managed just 3-for-19 from three-point range.
Conversely, the trio of Hampton, Hansbro and Krubally combined for 46 points (22-for-34 FG) and 22 rebounds.
"If you look at what we got from our front line tonight and give us even close to that and our perimeter guys play like I know they can, then we can be a pretty good team," said Barnes.
Four Shorter players reached double figures, including 13 points apiece by Darius Steger and Corey Edmondson.
Neither team managed to shoot 40 percent from the field, and the Panthers outrebounded Shorter 54-41, including 25 offensive rebounds.
Leading 34-25 at the intermission, Georgia State built a double-digit early in the second half. Consecutive baskets by Hansbro pushed the lead to 68-51 with 3:27 left before the Hawks reeled off 11 straight points. After a pair of free throws by Marques Johnson, GSU led 70-62 with 26 seconds left. Shorter hit a three-pointer with one second left for the final margin.
Georgia State now turns its attention to next week's season opener as the Panthers face NC State Nov. 12 in Raleigh, N.C.
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