Location: Harrisonburg, Va. 
Game 15 at James Madison: Thursday, Jan. 1 @ 2 p.m. 
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State women's basketball team (6-8, 1-1 SBC) opens the New Year with a road matchup in Harrisonburg, Va, to take on the James Madison Dukes (9-5, 1-1 SBC). The Panthers and Dukes are set to tip off on Thursday, Jan. 1, at 2 p.m. inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center. 

SERIES HISTORY 
James Madison leads the all-time series against Georgia State, holding a 15-3 advantage across 18 meetings dating back to 2006. Georgia State enters the matchup looking to snap a two-game skid in the series after an 80-74 loss in Harrisonburg on Feb. 26, 2025. The Panthers' longest winning streak in the series spans three games from Jan. 28, 2023 to Feb. 15, 2024, while James Madison controlled much of the early history with a 13-game streak from 2006 to 2023. Georgia State is 2-7 all-time at home and 1-7 on the road against the Dukes. 

BETWEEN THE LINES 
James Madison enters the matchup with a 9-5 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Sun Belt play, looking to rebound after a narrow 74-83 overtime loss at Marshall on Dec. 20. The Dukes have been tested heavily in nonconference play, facing multiple Power Four opponents and ranked teams, including road trips to No. 4 Texas and hosting No. 19 Notre Dame. JMU also picked up a statement home win over Virginia Tech and posted neutral-site victories against Boston College and Wisconsin at the Daytona Beach Classic, going a perfect 2-0 on neutral floors. 

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. Georgia State ranks second in the SBC in free throws made per game (14.36) and sits third in both steals per game (12.9) and turnovers forced per contest (22.14). Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu remains a reliable presence at the line, ranking third in the conference in total free throws made (42). At the center of Georgia State's success is Crystal Henderson ranks second in the Sun Belt in total assists (61) and sits third in assists per game (4.4). She also ranks third in the conference in total points (211) while placing fifth in points per game (15.1). Henderson's impact extends to both ends of the floor, as she ranks third in total steals (35), fourth in steals per game (2.50), and fourth in field goals made (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. 

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.