ATLANTA-Georgia State fell to VCU, 82-69, Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Association game at the GSU Sports Arena. Trae Goldston scored 19 points and grabbed six steals for the Panthers, but GSU dropped its fifth straight game.
Joey Rodriguez scored 21 points and handed out seven assists for VCU (12-4, 4-3 CAA), which shot 61 percent from the field to win its third in a row. Wake Forest transfer Jamie Skeen added 16 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
After falling behind by 12, Georgia State (8-11, 2-5 CAA) pulled within one at 59-58 with nine minutes to play but could not get over the hump. The Panthers had three shots to take the lead but missed before VCU scored seven straight to move ahead 66-58, with six minutes to go.
"Give credit to VCU. They are one of the hottest teams in our league and one of the better teams in our league," said GSU head coach Rod Barnes. "I was pleased with the effort our guys gave. Obviously you want to get over the hump and get the win, but we missed some shots and some assignments, and a team like that makes you pay."
After struggling the last three games, Goldston came off the bench for the first time this season and responded with three three-pointers and a 6-for-12 night from the field, along with his six steals.
"I knew Trae would come out and play well tonight, and I was happy to see him get back on track because we need his scoring," said Barnes. "He's struggled the last three games as teams have really defended him. I thought he might be pressing a little bit, so I wanted to take the pressure off him by coming off the bench. And he responded."
"Both teams shot the ball well tonight, especially VCU," continued Barnes, whose squad hit 45 percent from the field. "We had 18 assists with only nine turnovers against a team that really presses, so I was pleased with our execution.
"Obviously we're disappointed that we lost, but there were some positives we can take from this game. We're going to stay the course and go back to work."
Larry Sanders, the Rams' 6-11 junior and pro prospect, was held to eight points but grabbed 11 rebounds. Bradford Burgess added 14 points, including 4-for-5 from three-point range, and Ed Nixon nailed three treys off the bench.
Trey Hampton had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Panthers, and Xavier Hansbro added nine points and six boards.
Leading scorer Joe Dukes managed just two points, but contributed seven assists and four rebounds.
The Panthers played without forward Ousman Krubally due to illness, but freshman James Vincent came off the bench to score a career-high 10 points.
The Panthers led 32-28 in the first half before VCU took a 46-38 lead into the locker room. Both teams shot well in the half; Georgia State was at 53 percent from the field but VCU connected on a blistering 69 percent, including 5-for-8 from three-point range.
Georgia State hosts UNC Wilmington next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena.
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