MOREHEAD, KY - Georgia State dropped a 74-72 decision to Morehead State Sunday at Johnson Arena.
The Panthers fell behind early at 15-2 by missing its first 11 shots of the game. But, GSU closed back to 27-23 at halftime and then came out and gained the lead at 33-29 four minutes into the second half.
Host Morehead (4-5) regained a double-digit lead at 60-49, but Georgia State kept chipping away and had it to six at 3:45. Morehead got 10 consecutive free throws from Almesha Jones to secure its win.
Georgia State (3-3) saw plenty of positives today.
- One was a 43-32 rebounding advantage, sparked by 18 offensive rebounds
- Another was freshman Makeba Ponder making 7 of 9 3-point shots in the second half.
- Yet another was 10 assists and 10 points from point guard Ashley Watson, who was filling in for Alisha Andrews today (coach's decidison).
- GSU made 9 of 18 treys thanks to Ponder.
Ponder's 21 points led Georgia State, with Kayla Nolan adding 16 points to go with seven rebounds and Watson providing her 10 points. Logan's 14 rebounds led the defense.
Morehead's margin of victory came as a result of 19 of 23 from the free throw line, with Jones making 12 of 14, including the last 10 in a row for a 26-points (24 in the second half). Shay Steele added 17 points and Eriel McKee 14 more.
"We played together and we fought hard today, but we simply couldn't hit shots," head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. "It is tough to lose close games, but we're going to have a good season and we'll be back better as a result of today. We did some good things, like rebounding and hitting the offensive boards. Ponder can really shoot and Watson made things happen at the point today with her 10 assists. A loss is always tough but I can be proud of the team's fight and effort today."
Despite shooting 21.9 percent in the first half (7 of 32), GSU responded by shooting 53.1 percent in the second half (17 of 32).
Georgia State takes final exams this week and plays at home Saturday against Tennessee Tech.
NOTEBOOK
- GSU has made 40 3-point baskets in six games this year, including 19 in the last two games. Freshman Makeba Ponder leads the way with 16.
- Kayla Nolan zoomed past the 700-point milestone Sunday (713 career). Her streak of 96 games played is the team's longest as Alisha Andrews' streak ends at 102.
- GSU got 30 points from the bench Sunday.
- Makeba Ponder has scored 60 points in 68 minutes played in her freshman season
- Haley Gerrin hit 2 of 2 free throws today to up her season team-best average to 90.9 percent on 10 of 11. The team is shooting 70.7 percent.
- Georgia State returns home to play its final three non-conference games and then plays its first three Sun Belt Conference games at home. The Panthers don't go back on the road until a Jan. 8 game at Louisiana Lafayette.
