Game Highlights
Chattanooga, Tenn.-Georgia State knocked down nine three-pointers and used a smothering defense to earn a 72-42 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the opening game of the Dr. Pepper Classic at McKenzie Arena on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Dante Curry led State with 18 points, knocking down 6-of-10 from three-point range.
The Panthers (5-5) will play for the championship on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Chattanooga. The host Mocs defeated Montreat in the second game on Wednesday evening.
Live radio coverage is available on WRAS-FM 88.5, 30 minutes prior to tip. Live statistics and live video can be followed at GeorgiaStateSports.com.
The 30-point victory was the largest under fourth year head coach Rod Barnes, while the 42 points allowed were the fourth fewest allowed in the history of the program. Two of the previous three lowest scoring games have also come under Barnes, including the lowest mark in school history, 33 points, set last year against Howard.
The Panthers shot a season-high 52.8 percent from the field, including 45 percent from three-point range, while holding the Islanders to just 33.3 percent from the field and 7.1 percent from three-point range.
"I thought our guys got off to a good start," commented Barnes. "After a tough loss last week, I thought we showed great character tonight. We had some guys really step up. They have been working and practicing extremely hard and it paid off tonight with our best game of the year."
Curry, who came off the bench and played 25 minutes, knocked down five three's in the first-half on the way to a career-high six treys.
"I have really been challenging Dante because he is a guy who I know can shoot the ball extremely well. We have a lot of confidence in him as we know he can knock down big shots for us and he proved that tonight."
Freshman Devonta White, making his third straight start, tied his career-high with 14 points and five assists, knocking down 5-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
"Devonta played really well tonight. I saw some things that I really liked. The point guard position is one that a coach is always going to be really hard on, but I thought he really came through for us. He was able to score and get some other guys involved as well."
Junior Brandon McGee finished just shy of his third straight double-double, scoring nine points and pulling down nine rebounds, while junior Eric Buckner added eight points on 4-of-4 shooting.
Georgia State dominated the first half, taking a 37-19 lead into the break. The Panthers opened the game by holding the Islanders to without a field goal for the first 9:13 and led 20-2 at the second media timeout. State built its lead to as much as 22 with just under three minutes remaining in the half.
The Panthers knocked down 8-of-14 three-pointers in the opening half, while holding the Islanders to 33.3 percent from the field and 0-of-5 from three-point range.
State continued to pressure in the second half, while the Panthers bench stepped up as Barnes rested several starters for tomorrow night's game. State's bench outscored the Islanders 37-12 for the game.
The Panthers won the battle of the boards 33-29, and capitalized on 17 Islander turnovers, scoring 28 points.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi fell to 4-8 on the season. Justin Reynolds led the Islanders with eight points and nine rebounds, while Demond Watt scored a team-high nine points.
Redshirt-junior Jamar Taylor had his biggest game in a Panther uniform, scoring seven points in 16 minutes of action, hitting 2-of-3 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
Following Thursday's championship, the Panthers will return to the Sports Arena for a key CAA match-up against VCU on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets for that game, as well as the Panthers remaining home games can be bought by calling 1-866-GA-STATE or by going online to GeorgiaStateSports.com.
--GeorgiaStateSports.com--
