What You Need to Know:
* Georgia State earned a 69-55 win over UL Monroe on Monday night at the GSU Sports Arena.
* It was the eighth-straight win for the Panthers, tying the third-longest streak in school history.
* Senior Jeremy Hollowell led the Panthers with 19 points and six rebounds while senior Willie Clayton moved to within three points of 1,000 for his career.
ATLANTA-Led by 19 points from senior Jeremy Hollowell, Georgia State earned its eighth-straight win with a 69-55 victory over UL Monroe on Monday night at the GSU Sports Arena. The streak is tied for the third-longest in school history and among the top 10 in the country.
Georgia State (16-7, 9-2 Sun Belt) entered the night in a three-way tie atop the conference standings and won for the ninth time in 10 games in 2017. Four Panthers finished in double figures as sophomore Malik Benlevi added 14 points and six rebounds, knocking down 4-of-7 from 3-point range. The Panthers finished with 11 3-pointers as a team.
Hollowell grabbed six rebounds, while going 8-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
UL Monroe (7-17, 1-10 Sun Belt) was led by senior Nick Coppola who scored 16 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists, playing all 40 minutes.
The Panthers won for the seventh time in the last eight meetings with the Warhawks and swept the season series.
“I thought we did what we needed to get done tonight,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “I have to give some credit to ULM. I thought they came out and played hard. We kept trying to put them away and just couldn't. I thought we played pretty well and didn't turn the ball over which I was happy to see. We just need to do a better job at the free throw line.”
The Panthers turned the ball over a season-low five times, while forcing the Warhawks into 15 turnovers which led to 21 points. Georgia State finished the game with nine steals and eight blocked shots.
Georgia State dominated the first half from the opening tip, taking a quick 8-0 lead as Hollowell knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game.
Leading 15-8, the Panthers hit 3-pointers on three-straight attempts down the court to go on a 9-0 run and lead 24-8 with 8:32 remaining in the half.
On Benlevi's third 3-pointer of the opening half, Georgia State had UL Monroe doubled-up, 40-20, with just over a minute to play. The Panthers went into the locker room leading 40-26 after forcing 11 turnovers which led to 15 points.
UL Monroe continued to chip into Georgia State's lead throughout the second half and got as close as 53-44 on a lay-up by Roderick Taylor with 10:14 to play before the Panthers responded and pushed the lead back to as many as 18 with just over four minutes to play.
Senior Willie Clayton finished with eight points, five rebounds and three blocked shots. He moved to within three points for 1,000 for his career.
Freshman D'Marcus Simonds added 10 points and six rebounds, while junior Isaiah Williams added 11 points and three assists.
Travis Munnings added 15 points and six rebounds for UL Monroe.
Georgia State will return to the road and face Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in the first of a two-game road trip.
