Location: Statesboro, Ga.
Game 12 vs. Georgia Southern: Thursday, Dec. 18 @ 5 p.m.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State women's basketball team (4-7, 0-0 SBC) opens their conference slate in Statesboro, facing the Georgia Southern Eagles (7-3, 0-0 SBC). The Panthers and Eagles are set to tip off on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. inside the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State trails the all-time series, holding a 28-32 record across 60 meetings, but the Panthers have momentum entering the matchup with a current two-game winning streak. The rivalry has featured stretches of dominance on both sides, including Georgia State's longest win streak of seven games from February 22, 2016, to March 9, 2019. The series has been tightly contested in recent years, with the teams splitting the last 10 matchups at 5-5. Home-court advantage has played a role throughout the series, as Georgia State is an even 15-15 in Atlanta, while posting a 12-14 mark in Statesboro, along with a 1-3 record at neutral sites. The most recent meeting came on March 6, 2025, when Georgia State earned a 70-64 victory. Across the series, GSU has combined a total of 2,476 points, with an average of 68.78 points per game.
BETWEEN THE LINES
The Georgia Southern Eagles enter Thursday's matchup carrying strong momentum, boasting a 7-3 overall record and riding a six-game winning streak as they open conference play in Statesboro. Georgia Southern has been especially strong at home, posting a 5-1 mark inside the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center. Georgia Southern has been tested early against high-level competition, including a matchup with nationally ranked No. 5 LSU. The Eagles share common opponents with the Panthers this season, as both programs faced Furman and Wofford. Georgia Southern earned wins over both, defeating Furman 72-56 at home and Wofford 58-52 on the road, while Georgia State also picked up victories against Wofford (75-68) and narrowly fell to Furman (89-90) in Greenville. The Eagles are led by graduate guard Destiny Garrett, who was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week following the first week of December. Garrett leads Georgia Southern in both scoring (16.5 points per game) and assists (42), serving as the engine of the Eagles' offense
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 continue to assert their dominance within the Sun Belt as they continue through the 2025–26 nonconference slate. Georgia State ranks fourth in the SBC in free throws made per game (14.18), with Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu leading the charge. Robinson-Nwagwu sits second in the conference in total free throws made (41) and ranks seventh in free-throw percentage (80.4%). The Panthers rank third in the Sun Belt in steals per game (13.2) and third in turnovers forced per contest (22.27). At the center of Georgia State's success is Crystal Henderson. Henderson ranks second in the SBC in total assists (49), assists per game (4.5) and field goals made (70), while also sitting second in total points (182). She ranks third in points per game (16.5) and logs heavy minutes, ranking second in minutes per game (32.77). Henderson also contributes defensively, ranking sixth in the conference in total steals (25)
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.
LANIER LEGACY
Grace Lanier etched her name into the record book with a standout performance against the FIU Panthers. The freshman posted her first collegiate double-double and shattered the GSU single-game steals record with 10 steals. She surpassed the previous mark of nine, set by Jylisa Williams against Delaware State on Dec. 21, 2008.
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.
