PENSACOLA, Fla. --Toneari Lane, Zarique Nutter and Cesare Edwards each recorded at least 20 points to help lead the Georgia State men's basketball team over the Georgia Southern Eagles 80-71 at Pensacola Bay Center Thursday.

"I thought our guys showed tremendous maturity, cohesion and togetherness to weather that storm," head coach Jonas Hayes said. "I want to give Georgia Southern and coach Henry his props. He is a phenomenal coach and those guys don't give out or give up." 
 

The Panthers (14-18) had three players score in double figures, led by Lane, who had 22 points. Nutter tacked on 20 points and six rebounds off the bench and Edwards chipped in as well with a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Georgia State out-rebounded Georgia Southern 42-28 in Thursday's game, led by Edwards' 13 boards.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 24-23 advantage, Georgia State went on an 8-0 run with 7:52 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nutter, to increase its lead to 32-23. The Panthers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 36-28 advantage. Georgia State got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 10 of its 36 total points.

Georgia State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 80-71 with 19 seconds to go in the contest, The Panthers held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 80-71 win. Georgia State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 12 of its 44 total points.

Game Notes

» Cesare Edwards notched an impressive double-double for the Panthers with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
» Georgia State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Toneari Lane, Zarique Nutter, and Cesare Edwards combined to account for 78 percent of the Panthers points.
» Georgia State had a 42-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Panthers had three players score over 20 points in the contest. Toneari Lane led the way with 22 points, Zarique Nutter had 20, and Cesare Edwards added 20.
» Cesare Edwards nabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to lead Georgia State and Nick McMullen added 10.

With today's win, the Panthers advance to game seven against Marshall on Friday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET