WILLIAMSBURG, VA (Feb. 1) ? It was a “super” Sunday for host William and Mary as they shot 52 percent and hit 11 three-point baskets en route to a 82-68 win on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon.
The Tribe, who average 58.6 points and game, shooting 37.5 from the field and 30.2 from beyond the arc, simply had their best game of the season. They shot 14-of-27 in each half for 28-of-54 for the game, including 52% outside the arc.
Georgia State (11-9, 3-6), whose defense is among the top 10 in the nation in steals (12.9) had its average today but simply didn't get as many opportunities to trap since they shot just 38.8 percent themselves. Freshman guard Jylisa Williams led the Panthers in scoring with 13 points, while Brittany Graham added 12 points and point guard Crystal Johnson contributed 11 points and seven assists.
William and Mary (11-9, 4-5) had five players in double figures. Leading the way coming off the bench was junior Kelly Heath with 10-of-15 field goals and 3-of-4 outside the arc for 26 points in 27 minutes. Guard Janine Aldridge added 14 points on 4-of-7 outside the three-point line. Forward Tiffany Benson had a team-high 12 rebounds and 11 points. Courtney Portell added 12 with two treys and Dani Kell contributed 11 points.
Georgia State started strong and led by seven points three times in the early going, the last at 17-10 with 13:10 on the clock. Four three-point baskets later by William and Mary and Georgia State was still leading 25-22 with 9:02 to play. William and Mary went into halftime with a 34-31 lead after State did not make a field goal the final four and a half minutes of the half.
William and Mary started the second half with three more treys without a miss en route to a quick 11-2 run to open a 45-33 lead just two and a half minutes into the second half.
William and Mary's 11th trey in its 18 attempts at 14:06 made it 54-37 as they gained complete control.
The Tribe finished with a final 38-37 rebound advantage, but Georgia State had 20 offensive rebounds. State forced 24 Tribe turnovers with its 12 steals, but turned the ball over themselves 21 times.
The Panthers return to Atlanta to play Towson in a Thursday night home game, where Georgia State is 9-1 in the Sports Arena this year.
