Grace Lanier
Jett Parker

Women's Basketball Travels to UNC Asheville for Game Two

Panthers looking for fourth-straight win over Bulldogs

Georgia State (0-1) at UNC Asheville (1-0)
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 6:30 p.m.
Kimmel Arena | Asheville, N.C.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Georgia State continues its season-opening road swing on Friday night when the Panthers travel to Kimmel Arena to face UNC Asheville at 6:30 p.m. in the second game of the 2026-27 campaign. The match-up marks just the sixth meeting in series history and the first between the programs in 26 years.

The Panthers enter Friday looking to bounce back from a narrow 82-81 loss at Buffalo in the season opener. Despite the setback, Georgia State showcased its offensive potential under first-year head coach Marcilina Grayer, scoring 81 points and forcing 24 turnovers in an encouraging debut performance.

Sophomore guard Grace Lanier delivered one of the best opening-night performances in program history, pouring in 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting while adding six steals and three assists. Her 32-point outing tied for the eighth-highest single-game scoring total in Georgia State history.

Georgia State also received major contributions from a pair of newcomers. Graduate transfer Aryelle Stevens scored 15 points while shooting 7-for-8 from the floor, while senior point guard Ana Oliveira Dias controlled the offense with nine points and eight assists in her Panthers debut.

Friday's contest represents another early test for a Georgia State team featuring 11 newcomers and just two returning players from last year's roster. The Panthers' revamped lineup includes nine transfers and two freshmen as Coach Grayer begins building what the program has labeled "The Blueprint" in her first season leading the program.

UNC Asheville enters the match-up after opening the season with a victory and returns standout guard Jamaria Freeman, who earned Big South All-Freshman Team honors last season and was selected to the Preseason All-Big South First Team entering this year. The Bulldogs were picked tied for fifth in the Big South preseason coaches poll and welcomed 12 newcomers during the offseason.

While Friday marks the first meeting between the schools since 2000, Georgia State has enjoyed success in the series, holding a 4-1 all-time advantage against the Bulldogs. The Panthers claimed the most recent match-up, a 74-55 victory in Atlanta.

Following Friday's game, Georgia State will return to Atlanta for its home opener Sunday afternoon against Wofford inside the GSU Convocation Center.

By the Numbers
  • 32 – Points scored by Grace Lanier in the season opener, tied for eighth-most in program history.
  • 11 – Newcomers on Georgia State's 2026-27 roster.
  • 17 – Assists recorded by the Panthers in the opener at Buffalo.
  • 24 – Turnovers forced by Georgia State in Game One.
  • 4-1 – Georgia State's all-time record against UNC Asheville.
Print Friendly Version