GEORGIA STATE (2-9, 0-0 SBC) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-5, 0-0 SBC)
Thursday, Dec. 18 | 8:00 p.m. ET | STATESBORO, GA
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Georgia State Radio Network in Atlanta on WRAS-FM 88.5, in Gainesville on WGTJ-FM 97.5, GSU Athletics mobile app, www.LowCountryRadio.com
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ATLANTA-- Georgia State men's basketball tips off conference play at in-state rivals Georgia Southern on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8:00 p.m.
The Panthers clinched their second win of the season at home against Jacksonville State on Dec. 13. Jelani Hamilton led the Panthers with 23 points and three rebounds.
Georgia State has only seen its home court three times so far this season. Previously, they went on a month-long road swing beginning on Nov. 13 before returning home for a single game on Dec. 13. The Panthers will see only one more game on home court before the new year.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES:
Georgia Southern is 8-5 on the season, and are on a five-game win streak. The Eagles come into this game off of a five-game win streak, including wins against Houston Christian, Louisiana Tech, Gardner-Webb, Coastal Georgia and West Georgia. Georgia Southern is undefeated on their home court.
Spudd Webb leads the Eagles in nearly every stats category.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jelani Hamilton leads the Panthers averaging 15.8 ppg, and totals 2.0 rpg, 5 steals and 10 assists. Despite participating in only six contests due to an injury early in the season, Hamilton is third on the Panthers' leaderboard in total points.
Hamilton has a near-prefect 93.8 percent (45-for-48) average at the free-throw line, leading the Sun Belt and helping the team to a third place ranking in the conference for free throw percentage. He has led the Panthers in scoring in 5-of-6 of the game he has participated in.
For the second consecutive year, Malachi Brown, who averages 9.5 ppg, leads the Panthers in assists with 31 assists (2.8 pg) through another season. He also leads the team in assists with 17.
Freshman Micah Tucker is second on the Panthers' leaderboard in scoring (12.1 ppg) and assists (22/ 2.0 pg). He leads the team in steals with 15.
Sophomore Joah Chappelle is Georgia State's leading rebounder, averaging 6.8 rpg. He is top 10 in the SBC in nearly every rebounding category after leading the Panthers in rebounding in 7-of-11 games this season.
UP NEXT:
The Panthers continue on the road at Appalachian State on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET before hosting their last home game of before the new year.
