ATLANTA-- On a two-game winning streak and coming off a 20-point victory over ULM, Georgia State returns home to face Southern Miss for the first time in two years on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m..
After skipping a 2024-25 matchup, Georgia State and Southern Miss meet for the 14th time in program history and only the third time in Sun Belt Action. The Panthers look for their first win in conference action against the Golden Eagles. A series dating back to the 1973-74 season, the Panthers and Golden Eagles have only met seven times since 2000.
TOP STORYLINES:
The Panthers come into play off a 77-57 win over ULM, marking the biggest road win (by point differential) since Feb. 22, 2018 against Texas State. Georgia State's win over ULM puts them in a four-way tie in Sun Belt Conference action. They are currently tied with South Alabama, Arkansas State and Marshall.
This contest marks only the seventh home contest for the Panthers, and the third Sun Belt matchup on home court. Georgia State is 1-1 against Sun Belt opponents on home court.
Georgia State finishes off the season with four-straight home contests, tipping off with a rivalry contest against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8:00 p.m.
STATE VS. THE SUN BELT:
The Panthers are 4-3 in conference play after racking up wins against App State, Coastal Carolina, Marshall and ULM.
After falling in an 84-80 heart breaker on the road against Marshall (Dec. 31), Georgia State evened the series against the Thundering Herd with an 81-73 win at home (Jan. 10).
Georgia State split the series against Appalachian State, defeating the Mountaineers 70-63 on the road (Dec. 20) before falling 52-50 at home (Jan. 8).
The Panthers opened conference play with a four-game road swing, tipping off with Georgia Southern.
The Panthers average 72.8 points per game in conference action.
Georgia State has shot 50 percent or better from the field in two of its last four conference games.
The Panthers have held opponents to 71 points or fewer in 3-of-5 Sun Belt contests, including two of their conferee wins (App state & Coastal Carolina).
NATIONALLY RANKED IN FREE THROWS:
The Panthers lead the Sun Belt and rank ninth nationally in free throw efficiency after converting free throws at a 78.3 percent clip.
Redshirt sophomore Jelani Hamilton has a near-prefect 93.8 free throw average after going 90-for-96 at the free-throw line, leading the Sun Belt and ranking seventh nationally.
Hamilton went on a 21-free-throws-made streak from Dec. 20-Jan. 10. His 21 consecutive free throws made ranks ninth in program history, 18 shots away from the record of 38.
Tucker also tops the Sun Belt rankings in free throw percentage after notching an 87.0 percentage from the line to place second overall against conference opponents.
SHOOTERS SHOOT:
Georgia State averages 70.6 points per game, shooting 38.4 percent from the field.
Georgia State has connected on nearly nine three-pointers per game while shooting 32.1 percent from behind the arc.
The Panthers have recorded five games of 80 or more points, including a season-high 110 points vs. Columbia College (Dec. 28).
The Panthers average 23.63 ppg off the bench, accounting for 33.4 percent of Georgia State's Overall offensive productivity.
The Panthers rank fifth overall in the conference for bench points per game.
The Panthers continue its two-game home stand hosting Arkansas State on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2:00 p.m.
