NASHVILLE -- Leslie Nkereuwem scored 14 points and Jay'Den Turner had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds but Georgia State suffered a two-point loss at Belmont, 89-87, in Monday's season opener at the Curb Event Center.
The Panthers trailed 87-83 with two minutes left before Nkereuwem scored back-to-back buckets, tying the game on a layup with 1:12 left. The GSU defense forced a shot clock violation at the other end, and Dwon Odom had a pair of mid-range jumpers that wouldn't fall. Georgia State was called for a foul after Odom's second shot, and Belmont's Malik Dia made both free throws with eight seconds left. Odom's final three wouldn't fall, and Georgia State lost by two points to Belmont for the second straight year.
"We're going to be able to score, and I'm excited about hard we played, but I don't believe in almost wins," head coach Jonas Hayes said. "Belmont is a really good team, and the big fella down low (Cade Tyson, 29 points) presented a big challenge, but make no mistake, our defense must be better."
The Panthers (0-1) had four players score in double figures, including Nkereuwem, Turner, Lucas Taylor with 12 points and Brenden Tucker with 10. Georgia State shot 48 percent from the field, including 7-for-19 from 3-point range.
Turner, the grad transfer from Queens, also had a double-double in last week's exhibition win over Morehouse.
"He's so active and he's plays so hard, he is going to be active on both ends of the court," Hayes said.
Georgia State pulled down 39 rebounds in Monday's game compared to Belmont's 35, led by Turner's 11 boards. The Panthers also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 13 rebounds into eight second chance points.
The Panthers forced 13 Belmont turnovers while the Panthers committed just seven. Those takeaways turned into 14 points on the offensive end of the floor. Turner's three steals led the way individually for the Panthers.
Game Notes:
» Jay'Den Turner notched a double-double for the Panthers with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He also had three steals.
» The Georgia State bench made an impact by scoring 40 points
» Georgia State held a 39-35 rebounding advantage.
» The Georgia State defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Georgia State committed just seven turnovers while dishing out 14 assists.
» Georgia State collected 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Leslie Nkereuwem led the Panthers with 14 points.
» Dwon Odom scored nine points and handed out six assists with no turnovers in 27 minutes
