ATLANTA-- Georgia State looks to extend its three-game home-win streak against Marshall on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the GSU Convocation Center.
Georgia State Marshall are meeting for the sixth time in program history. The Panthers are 1-4 on the series after falling 86-74 in the Sun Belt Tournament on March 7, 2024.
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TOP STORY LINES:
> The Panthers are on a 3-0 win streak at home after defeating Louisiana (Jan. 4), Georgia Southern (OT win, Jan. 8) and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 11).
PANTHERS IN THE SUN BELT
> Led by Nick McMullen, who is second in the conference and ranks 17th nationally in rebounds per-game, the Panthers' 39.21 rebounds per-game ranks third in the Sun Belt.
> Nick McMullen is second in the Sun Belt in every rebounding category, including total rebounds (190, ranks 11th nationally), rebounds per-game (10.0, ranks 17th nationally), defensive rebounds per-game (6.42, ranks 34th nationally) and offensive rebounds (3.58, ranks 13th nationally).
KEY RETURNERS: In a rebuild off-season for the Panthers' basketball team, head coach Jonas Hayes retained five returners from the 2023-24 squad, including Toneari Lane, Malik Ferguson, DK Dut, Brevyn Coleman and Aaron Oh
> The Panthers key returner Toneari Lane is Georgia State's second-leading scorer with 14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 33 assists.
> The Veteran Guard is third in the Sun Belt in three pointers per-game with 2.68. His 30.2 three-point percentage ranks sixth overall in the conference. He also ranks fifth overall in three-pointers made, totaling 51.
> Sophomore returnee Malik Ferguson has played in 14 games for the Panthers so far, scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds.
VETERAN TRANSFER SQUAD: Head coach Jonas Hayes and his staff have rebuilt the GSU roster with addition of seven transfers and four freshmen.
> The transfer squad brings experienced veteran players including Justin Archer (graduate, Radford), Cesare Edwards (senior, Missouri State), Zarique Nutter (senior, Northern Illinois), Darnell Evans (senior, Caldwell) and Nick McMullen (senior, UNC-Asheville).
> Northern Illinois transfer Zarique Nutter is tied for the Panthers' leading scorer with 14.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 38 assists.
> Nutter's 14.4 ppg ranks tied for ninth in the conference.
> Nutter is also seventh in the conference for free throws with 68.
> Senior Cesare Edwards is tied for first on the Panthers' leaderboard with 14.4 ppg, and is second in rebounding with 6.8 rpg. He totals 18 assists, 24 blocks and 11 steals on the season.
> Edwards' 14.4 ppg ranks tied for ninth in the conference.
> Edwards ranks third in the conference in double-doubles after tallying four double-doubles so far. He scored his double-doubles in the Panthers' wins against Ball State (Nov. 4) and Tulsa (Nov. 27). His most recent double-double came in the Panthers' contest against Kennesaw State (Dec. 6).
> Senior Nick McMullen leads the Panthers defensively, totaling 190 rebounds so far this season, which is second in the Sun Belt. His 10.0 rebounds per game is also second in the Sun Belt and ranks 17th nationally.
> McMullen averages 9.7 ppg.
> McMullen is also second in the conference and ranks 34th nationally in double-doubles, totaling six. He grabbed his first in the Panthers' season-opener against Ball State (Nov. 4). He recorded his second against North Carolina Central (Nov. 22). Most notably, McMullen put up 22 points and 14 rebounds in the Panthers' first conference win over Louisiana (Jan. 4).
> Sophomore transfer Malachi Brown has been a key aspect to the Panthers' offense, scoring 7.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. He leads the team in assists with 60.
> Iowa State Transfer Jelani Hamilton has had a breakout season with the Panthers, averaging 9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 24 assists and 16 steals.
Georgia State hosts James Madison (Jan. 25) before hitting the road to Marshall on Jan. 30.
