Game action during Game One of the Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship between Georgia State and South Alabama at Pensacola Bay Center on February 28, 2023 in Pensacola, Florida. (Photograph by AJ Henderson / Sun Belt Conference)

South Alabama USA 7-23,3-15 Sun Belt

Georgia St. GSU 12-20,5-13 Sun Belt

South Alabama USA

7-23,3-15 Sun Belt

Final

Feb. 28, 2023

Georgia St. GSU

12-20,5-13 Sun Belt

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
South Alabama USA	12	9	8	15	44
Georgia St. GSU	8	21	17	13	59

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/28/2023 3:41:00 PM

Tolivert, Merrill Lead Panthers in Sun Belt Opening Round Win

Georgia State Earned its First Win in the Sun Belt Conference Championship

Next Game:

vs. Old Dominion

3/1/2023 | 3:00 PM

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Mar. 01 (Wed) / 3:00 PM

vs. Old Dominion

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PENSACOLA, FLA. -- Mikyla Tolivert and Deasia Merrill combined for 35 points and 14 rebounds to lead No. 12 seed Georgia State to a 59-44 win over 13th-seeded South Alabama in the opening game of the Hercules Tires Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tuesday at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Georgia State (12-20) earned its first ever win in the Sun Belt Championship to advance to face No. 5 seed Old Dominion Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

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— Georgia State WBB (@GSU_WBB) February 28, 2023

Tolivert, the sophomore guard from Melbourne, Fla., had 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Merrill, the senior post player from Villa Rica, Ga., contributed 16 points and eight rebounds.

"These two have led our team all year, so it's no coincidence that they led us today," head coach Gene Hill said. "They've really stepped up and been great leaders every day in practice. I'm happy that they were able to come out today and reap the benefits and show everyone what kind of talent they have.

"We're really excited about the win. It was a great team effort, and we're excited to play again tomorrow."

The GSU defense held South Alabama to just 25 percent shooting from the field as the Panthers earned their largest margin of victory against a Sun Belt foe all season.

After trailing 12-8 after one quarter, Georgia State ended the first half with a 13-4 run to take a 29-21 lead into the locker room.

The Panthers took control of the game in the final five minutes of the third quarter, going on a 12-2 run to open up a 46-29 lead. GSU forced seven turnovers in that stretch. Georgia State outscored the Jaguars (7-23) 38-17 over the second and third quarters.

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— Georgia State WBB (@GSU_WBB) February 28, 2023

South Alabama answered with a 7-0 run to pull within 46-36 early in the fourth period but they could never get within single digits.

GSU freshman Zay Dyer added 11 points for the Panthers, and senior point guard Tehya Lyons chipped in with four assists off the bench. Georgia State shot 44 percent for the game, including 36 points in the paint.

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