ATLANTA, GA -- Three Panthers scored double digits, but ultimately fell 82-65 to the UL Monroe Warhawks at home Thursday.
Deasia Merrill led the Panthers with a season-high 19 points, followed by Crystal Henderson who tacked on 16 points. Mikyla Tolivert helped out with 10 points and three steals.
Georgia State grabbed 36 rebounds in Thursday's game compared to UL Monroe's 33, led by six boards from Christeina Bryan. The Panthers also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 12 rebounds into eight second chance points.
The Georgia State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Thursday's game, forcing 15 UL Monroe turnovers while committing 14. Those takeaways turned into 13 points on the offensive end of the floor. Tolivert's three steals led the way individually for the Panthers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 13-8, Georgia State went on a 6-0 run with 3:07 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Kaleigh Addie, to take a 14-13 lead. The Panthers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 17-16.
UL Monroe kept adding to that lead, building a 22-16 advantage before Georgia State went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Mya Williams, to narrow its deficit to 22-21. UL Monroe responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Panthers trailing 33-29 heading into halftime.
UL Monroe continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 40-32 advantage before Georgia State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Merrill, to trim its deficit to 40-37 with 4:28 to go in the third. UL Monroe countered and stretched its lead to 55-46 heading into the fourth. Georgia State's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled 12 of the team's 17 third-quarter points.
UL Monroe kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 64-49 advantage before Georgia State went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Merrill's layup, to shrink the deficit to 64-54 with 5:15 to go in the contest. UL Monroe responded and outscored the Panthers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 82-65. Georgia State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring five of its 19 total points.
Game Notes
» The Georgia State bench made an impact by scoring 27 points to its scoring output.
» Georgia State lost despite a 36-33 rebounding advantage.
» The Georgia State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Georgia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Deasia Merrill led the Panthers with 19 points.
» Georgia State got six rebounds from both Christeina Bryan and Alyssa Phillip.
The Panthers are back in action on Dec. 6 as they face Texas State at 2:00 p.m. at the GSU Convocation Center.
