ATLANTA-- Coming off a two-game win at home, Georgia State hits the road for a two-game road swing at Louisiana on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET before heading to South Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET 

Redshirt Sophomore Jelani Hamilton earned Sun Belt Player of the Week on Jan. 27 after big games against Southern Miss and Arkansas State, averaging 30.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 2.5 spg throughout two contests.  

Coming into conference play ranking 13th in the Sun Belt, Georgia State racked up wins in seven of its last nine wins to take over the No. 2 spot in the Sun Belt.  The Panthers are on a four-game win streak and a three-game win streak on home court.

Georgia State comes into play off an 82-81 upset over Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon, when Jelani Hamilton scored a career-high 38 points. 

Georgia State finishes off the season with four-straight home contests, tipping off with a rivalry contest against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 8:00 p.m. on home territory.

SERIES VS. LOUISIANA:

The Panthers and Ragin' Cajuns are meeting for the 28th time in program history and the 24th time in Sun Belt action. A long-standing series dating back to the 2004-05 season, Georgia State leads the series 19-8 and 17-6 in conference play. The Panthers look to even the series in Cajun territory.  

SERIES VS. SOUTH ALABAMA: 
The Panthers and Jags are meeting for the 41st time in program history and the 22nd time in SBC action. A long-standing series between the two teams, Georgia State leads 22-18 in the series overall, including a 17-5 mark in conference play. The Panthers look to take the upper hand in the series on the road, which is currently tied at 10 on Jag territory. 


NATIONALLY RANKED IN FREE THROWS: 

Georgia State leads the Sun Belt and ranks No. 9 nationally in free throw efficiency after converting free throws at a 78.5 percent clip.

Helping the Panthers to a national ranking in free throw percentage is Redshirt sophomore Jelani Hamilton, who has a near-prefect 92.2 free throw average after going 107-for-116 at the free-throw line. His free throw average leads the Sun Belt and ranks 12th nationally in free throw efficiency.Hamilton went on a 22-free-throws-made streak from Dec. 20-Jan. 10. His 22 consecutive free throws made ranks eighth in program history, 17 shots away from the record of 38. 

Tucker also tops the Sun Belt rankings in free throw percentage after notching an 87.7  percentage from the line to place second overall against conference opponents.

TOPPING THE SUN BELT CHARTS: 

In addition to leading the Sun Belt and holding a No. 12 national ranking in free throw percentage through yet another week, Jelani Hamilton tops Sun Belt rankings in points per game, and holds top five spots in multiple categories. Hamilton's 19.4 ppg leads the Sun Belt and ranks top 50 in the NCAA. 

He also leads the conference and ranks No. 28 in the nation for steals per game with 2.19. His 35 total steals ranks fourth in the conference. Hamilton's 107 total free throws ranks third in the Sun Belt. 

SHOOTERS SHOOT: 

Georgia State averages 71.1 points per game, shooting 38.7 percent from the field.

Georgia State has connected 9.0 three-pointers per game while shooting 32.7 percent from behind the arc. 

The Panthers have recorded six games of 80 or more points, including a season-high 110 points vs. Columbia College (Dec. 28).

The Panthers average 23.43 ppg off the bench, accounting for 32.95 percent of Georgia State's Overall offensive productivity. The team ranks fifth overall in the conference for bench points per game.  

THE STANDOUT FRESHMAN: 

Freshman Micah Tucker ranks second on the team in scoring at 12.6 ppg while leading the Panthers in minutes played (30.2 pg).  Tucker has reached double figures in 15 games, including a career-high 24 points against Columbia College (Dec. 28).   

UP NEXT: 

The Panthers return home to open February action against Tory (Feb. 4) and SBC-MAC Challenge opponents Northern Illinois (Feb. 7).