Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Game 6 vs. Stony Brook: Monday, Nov. 24 @ 12 p.m.
Game 7 vs. Samford: Tuesday, Nov. 25 @ 12 p.m.
Game 8 vs. Central Arkansas: Wednesday, Nov. 26 @ 12 p.m.
Follow the Action: X | Instagram
ATLANTA – The Georgia State women's basketball team (2-3, 0-0 SBC) return home after a four-game road stretch to host the annual GSU Thanksgiving Tournament. The tournament will feature Stony Brook, Samford, and Central Arkansas. GSU will tipoff the tournament versus Stony Brook on Monday, Nov. 24, at 12 p.m. in the GSU Convocation Center.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Stony Brook have met just once, with the lone matchup taking place on December 7, 2001. The Panthers came away with an 86-70 victory, giving them a 1-0 lead in the all-time series.
Georgia State owns a 13-2 all-time series lead over Samford, with matchups spanning from 1998 to 2014. The series opened on January 15, 1998, when the Panthers claimed a 79-64 win at home. Georgia State went on to dominate the early 2000s, reeling off a seven-game winning streak from 2000 to 2003, including their largest margin of victory, an 82-30 rout on January 18, 2001. The Panthers enter Tuesday with control of the series, having claimed nine of the previous ten matchups. The most recent meeting came on November 28, 2014, at the GSU Sports Arena, where Georgia State earned a 61-56 victory. Over the 17-year history, the Panthers hold a 7-1 record at home and 6-1 on the road.
Georgia State and Central Arkansas will face off for the first time in program history on Wednesday.
BETWEEN THE LINES
Stony Brook enters tournament at Georgia State with a 2-3 overall record, looking to bounce back after a pair of narrow road losses. The Seawolves opened the season strong with convincing wins over Molloy and Rutgers, but recent setbacks at Fordham (58-52) and Marist (55-51) have halted their early momentum. Stony Brook has spent the majority of its schedule away from home, playing four of its first five contests on the road.
Samford enters the tournament with an even 3-3 record, looking to build on the momentum of a dominant home win over Stillman. The Bulldogs have shown strong flashes throughout the early season, earning victories over Montevallo, Florida A&M, and Stillman, while their only three losses have come on the road against Power Four opponents Nebraska, Florida, and Alabama. Samford has spent the majority of its opening stretch away from Birmingham, playing four of its first six games on the road. Samford entered their season under new leadership, with Matt Wise stepping into his first year as head coach after three seasons as an assistant coach at Samford.
Central Arkansas enters Monday's matchup at Samford with a 2-2 overall record, riding a one-game win streak after a strong home victory over Arkansas State. The Sugar Bears have started the season strong at home with two wins, while their only two losses have come on the road against Power Four programs Missouri and Arkansas. Central Arkansas nearly pulled off an upset in the season opener at Missouri, falling just short in a 78-71 contest.
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Junior leader Crystal Henderson was named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team following a stellar 2024-25 campaign. Henderson started all 33 games for the Panthers, leading the team in assists (128, 3.9 pg), steals (79, 2.4 pg), minutes played (1,163, 35.2 pg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.42). She finished second on the team in scoring with 379 points (11.5 ppg) and recorded 20 double-digit games, including four 20+ point performances. Henderson led the Sun Belt in minutes per game, ranked second in the conference in steals and steals per game, and finished fourth in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
Henderson was also named 2023-24 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year after leading all Sun Belt freshmen in scoring, steals and assists, and finishing top five in assists among all freshmen in the NCAA during the 2023-24 season. Henderson's honors marked the third Freshman of the Year honors in program history, and the first since the 2016-17 season.
SUN BELT DOMINANCE
The Panthers have made their mark early in Sun Belt play during the opening stretch of the 2025-26 season. Georgia State leads the league in free throws made at 17.2 per contest and ranks second in the conference with 15.4 steals per game. The Panthers are also ranked third in the conference, averaging 79.8 points per game. All over the court, Crystal Henderson continues to lead the Panthers, ranking second in total assists (24) and assists per game (4.8), third in points (93), points per game (18.6), field goals (34), and fourth in steals (15) and steals per game (3.00). Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu also holds strong numbers in the conference, ranked first in free throws made (29), sixth in rebounds per game (7.8), and seventh in total rebounds (39). Kaleigh Addie provides perimeter scoring, ranked third in three-pointers (14), fourth in three-point percentage (43.8), and second in three-pointers per game (2.80).
FRESH FACES
Georgia State welcomes six new faces to the roster for 2025-26, including two freshmen and four transfers ready to make an impact. Freshmen Savannah Robinson-Holmes and Grace Lanier bring youthful energy and potential, while transfers Ana Luiza Ramos Pires (Garden City CC), Nari Powers (Salt Lake CC), Ari Dyson (Trinity Valley CC), and ACC Power Four standout Gabbie Grooms brings collegiate experience and depth to bolster the Panthers' lineup.
SO INTERNATIONAL
Georgia State's roster features international flare with Finland native Monna Julkunen and Ana Luiza Ramos Pires from São Paulo, Brazil. A returning sophomore, Julkunen brings experience in Blue and White after appearing in 24 games last season. Pires joins the Panthers as a transfer from Garden City Community College, where she started nearly every game over two seasons.
HOLLOMAN HONORS
Graduate student Cheyenne Holloman was named a 2026 Kay Yow Servant Leader Award recipient, recognizing her dedication to service and leadership beyond the court. Presented by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the award honors collegiate athletes who exemplify the values of legendary NC State coach Kay Yow, whose legacy continues through the fund's mission to advance cancer research and support women impacted by the disease.
HISTORIC SEASON OPENER
Georgia State opened the season in historic fashion Monday night, defeating Oglethorpe 108-59 at the GSU Convocation Center. The performance ranked third all-time in GSU history for both steals (26) and points (108) in a single game, marking one of the most dominant outings in program history.
SINCE '08
Crystal Henderson lit up the court in Georgia State's season opener against Oglethorpe, pouring in 24 points. That performance marks the first time since 2008 that a player has scored 24 or more points in a GSU season opener.
Full Tournament Schedule:
Mon, Nov. 24 – vs. Stony Brook – 12:00 pm
Mon, Nov. 24 – Central Arkansas vs. Samford – 2:30 pm
Tues, Nov. 25 – vs. Samford – 12:00 pm
Tues, Nov. 25 – Central Arkansas vs. Stony Brook– 2:30 pm
Wed, Nov. 26 – vs. Central Arkansas – 12:00 pm
Wed, Nov. 26 – Stony Brook vs. Samford – 2:30 pm
For the latest updates on the season, including ticket information and game details, please visit www.georgiastatesports.com and follow us on social media @gsu_wbasketball.
