ATLANTA-Javonte Maynor hit a three-pointer in overtime to put Georgia State ahead and the Panthers made free throws down the stretch to seal a 63-58 overtime victory over UNC Wilmington Wednesday at the GSU Sports Arena.
The hard-fought victory snapped Georgia State's seven-game losing streak, improving the Panthers to 9-13 overall, 4-8 in the Colonial Athletic Association. UNCW dropped its fourth straight to fall to 10-13, 4-8 CAA.
Four Panthers scored in double figures, led by Eric Buckner with 18 points and seven rebounds. Buckner's bucket tied the game at 52-all in regulation, and then the 6-10 post player came up with a steal on the other end with 11 seconds left. GSU's Jihad Ali missed a three-pointer at the buzzer to force the extra session.
"We had some guys down the stretch make some plays tonight," commented head coach Rod Barnes. "I thought guys like Javonte Maynor and Josh Micheaux stepped up and did some big things for us tonight. It was a great win for our team."
In the overtime, Maynor's trey put the Panthers ahead, 57-54, with 1:34 to play, and the Panthers made six of eight free throws in the final 34 seconds to seal the victory.
Josh Micheaux scored a career-high 15 points, along with seven rebounds and four steals for Georgia State. Maynor finished with 11 points and four assists, and James Fields added 10 points.
The Seahawks rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half to take their first lead of the game at 47-46 on a three-pointer by Chad Tomko with four minutes left. After a GSU free throw, Trevor Deloach nailed another trey for a 50-47 UNCW lead.
After Fields hit one of two free throws for GSU, Micheaux's steal and layup tied the game at 50-all with 1:35 to play. UNCW regained the lead on a pair of Tomko free throws with 1:11 left before Buckner's tying basket.
The GSU defense forced 20 turnovers and held UNCW to just 30.5 percent shooting from the field, including a 4-for-20 outing Tomko, the all-CAA guard. Tomko finished with 19 points, and Trevor Deloach, who hit the game-winning shot against the Panthers last month in Wilmington, had a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds.
All five Panther starters played at least 36 minutes in the game, as UNC Wilmington's bench outscored State's, 25-2. The Seahawks also held the advantage on the boards, outrebounding State 45-33.
Georgia State will return to the road to face Towson in Maryland on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. 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 Panthers will get to play a pair of home games next week for Spirit Week. State will face Hofstra on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., followed by Northeastern on Feb. 12 at noon, live on CSS. A handful of promotions will take place during the four men and women's home games during the week.
Tickets for all remaining home games can be bought by calling 1-866-GA-STATE or by going online to GeorgiaStateSports.com. The game can be heard live on WRAS-FM 88.5 beginning 30 minutes prior to tip.
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