­ATLANTA – R.J. Hunter scored the final basket of his game-high 23 points with 11.1 seconds left, giving Georgia State a hard-fought 73-72 victory -- and its eighth straight win overall -- in the Georgia State Sports Arena on Thursday night.

Hunter's effort led four Panthers in double figures as they kept control of sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference by moving to 4-0 in league action (11-6 overall). Arkansas State's furious comeback from down 15 points in the first half and double digits nearly midway through the second period fell short as the Red Wolves dropped to 10-6 on the year and 3-2 in conference action.

“For the most part, that is the closest game we have played in a long time,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “Championship teams have to figure out ways to win all kinds of games and tonight we were able to do that.

Getting a little emotional, Hunter continued “I am really proud of my son (R.J.). It was a great team win, but as a father, I am really proud of my son.”

Georgia State had to come on strong at the end after a blistering start. Despite being up 15 with just over seven minutes to play in the first period, the Panthers found themselves trailing by seven with 4:10 to play in the game when Melvin Johnson's dunk gave A-State a 69-62 advantage. Devonta White scored on a jumper and a steal by Manny Atkins followed. Marcus Crider made Atkins' theft count as he grabbed an offensive rebound on the other end and his putback brought GSU to within three.

A pair of Arkansas State free throws with 2:34 bumped the Red Wolves' lead back to five and from there it was Hunter's show. The sophomore wing drained his third 3-pointer of the game to give Georgia State life and cut the lead to 71-69. 

Following a free throw by A-State, Ryan Harrow scored on a teardrop while slicing through the lane to pull the Panthers within one at 72-71 as the clock ticked under 1 minute remaining. Arkansas State had three more open looks in the final minute including one off an offensive rebound -- one of its 15 offensive boards on the night -- but could not connect.

Instead, Hunter made the winning shot, floating in an off-balanced jumper while driving from the corner to put Georgia State on the winning end. A-State had one more chance to ruin the excitement for the crowd of 2,089, but a 3-pointer and a missed layup at the buzzer sealed the thrilling Sun Belt win.

Everything was going the Panthers' way in the first half when they hit 48.5 percent from the floor, including 5 of 12 from 3-point range, to open an 11-point halftime lead. GSU's 3-point shooting cooled off in the second frame as the Panthers hit just 2 of 9 from long range, but made up for it by getting free points at the line, connecting on 9 of 10 free throws after the break. 

At one point, the Panthers did not look like they would need a comeback. GSU used a 22-5 run in the first half keyed by four treys – two from Manny Atkins – to break open a two-point game and push it to a 33-18 lead. Arkansas State gathered itself well enough for an 8-2 run before the Panthers spread the lead back out to double digits late in the period.

It could have been even larger but a last-second heave from near midcourt by R.J. Hunter was called off by the officials after a lengthy review. Instead, his basket at the end of the game was the one that counted most. 

White finished with 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting, dishing out four assists, while Harrow added 11 and Atkins scored 10.

Kirk Van Slyke led the Red Wolves with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Kendrick Washington just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Panthers lone free throw missed caused Georgia State's record streak to come to an end at 38-straight makes. Hunter's school-record 27-straight free throw makes remained intact after going 2-of-2 at the line. Georgia State has made 72-of-77 free throws in four Sun Belt games.

Georgia State will remain home and face UALR on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Saturday's game will serve as the annual Barefoot for Bare Feet game in which Ron Hunter will coach barefoot to raise awareness for Samaritan's Feet. Tickets can be purchased by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com or calling 1-866-GA-STATE.

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