Game 22 vs. Arkansas State: Thursday, Jan. 29 @ 11 a.m.
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State women's basketball team (9-12, 4-5 SBC) returns to the Convocation Center for Education Day, hosting the Arkansas State Red Wolves (18-4, 9-1 SBC). The Panthers and Red Wolves will tip off on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State trails the all-time series against Arkansas State, holding a 4-10 record across 14 meetings dating back to 2014. The Panthers are coming off their most recent matchup on Feb. 5, 2025, falling 86-50 in Jonesboro. Arkansas State has controlled much of the series history, highlighted by an eight-game winning streak from 2014-18, while Georgia State's longest run came with back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2024. Home court has been a factor throughout the matchup, as Georgia State owns a 2-4 record in Atlanta and a 2-6 mark on the road in Jonesboro, with Arkansas State winning seven of the last 10 meetings overall.
BETWEEN THE LINES
Arkansas State enters the matchup riding with strong momentum, sitting atop the Sun Belt standings with a 9-1 conference record and an 18-4 mark overall, while carrying a four-game winning streak. After being picked to finish 13th in the league last season, head coach Destinee Rogers has led a dramatic turnaround, guiding the Red Wolves the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance last year after becoming conference champions. The Red Wolves sit in the top 10 nationally in four categories, ranking seventh in bench points per game (30.5), fifth in steals per game (15.5), fourth in three-pointers made per game (10.0), and second in turnovers forced per game (27.6).
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 conference in free throws made per game (15.33) and third in steals per game (12.2), while also placing fourth in turnovers forced per contest (20.81). Offensively, Crystal Henderson anchors the Panthers' attack, ranking third in the Sun Belt in total points (342), points per game (16.3), and field goals made (125). Henderson also sits fourth in total assists (85) and fifth in assists per game (4.0), while contributing defensively with sixth-place marks in both total steals (47) and steals per game (2.24). Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu adds efficiency at the line, ranking third in the conference in total free throws made (72) and sixth in free throw percentage (77.4%).
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.
