NORFOLK, VA -- Deasia Merrill notched a double-double and matched Crystal Henderson's 14 points, but ultimately fell 73-65 at Old Dominon on Saturday afternoon. 

The Panthers (11-8, 5-4) had two players score in double figures, led by Crystal Henderson, who had 14 points, five assists and four steals. Merrill also scored 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, and Mikyla Tolivert added eight points and two steals.

Merrill pulled down seven offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Georgia State, grabbing 20 boards and turning them into 20 second chance points.

The Georgia State women's basketball team kept Old Dominion to just 13.3 percent from beyond the arc in a 2-for-15 shooting performance, but fell 73-65 to the Monarchs on the road Saturday.

The Georgia State defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 16 Old Dominion turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Henderson's four steals led the way individually for the Panthers.
 

How It Happened

Georgia State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 18-16.

Old Dominion kept adding to that lead, building a 29-18 advantage before Georgia State went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Merrill, to narrow its deficit to 29-26. Old Dominion responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Panthers trailing 35-29 heading into halftime.

Old Dominion continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 39-29 advantage before Georgia State went on a 6-0 run to trim its deficit to 39-35 with 6:31 to go in the third. Old Dominion countered and stretched its lead to 49-41 heading into the fourth. Georgia State took advantage of four Old Dominion turnovers in the quarter, scoring three points off of takeaways.

Old Dominion kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 58-45 advantage before Georgia State went on a 7-0 run to shrink the deficit to 58-52 with 3:42 to go in the contest. Old Dominion responded and outscored the Panthers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 73-65. Georgia State took advantage of six Old Dominion turnovers in the quarter, scoring 10 points off of those takeaways.

Game Notes

» Deasia Merrill notched a double-double for the Panthers with 14 points and 14 rebounds, her third on the season.
» The Panthers held the Monarchs to only 39 percent shooting from the field.
» Georgia State played solid perimeter defense, holding Old Dominion to 13 percent from three point land on 15 attempts.
» The Georgia State bench came alive by scoring 23 points to its scoring output.
» Georgia State lost despite a 43-42 rebounding advantage.
» The Georgia State defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Georgia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 20 offensive boards in the game.
» Crystal Henderson and Deasia Merrill led the Panthers with 14 points apiece.
» Georgia State got a game-high 14 rebounds from Deasia Merrill.

The Panthers return home for a three-game homestead, beginning with James Madison on Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m.