ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Georgia State erased an 11-point second-half deficit and briefly took the lead entering the fourth quarter, but UNC Asheville used a decisive fourth-quarter run to pull away for a 66-56 victory Friday night at Kimmel Arena.
The Panthers (0-2) forced 24 turnovers for the second consecutive game and converted those miscues into 28 points, but cold shooting proved costly as Georgia State finished 35.1 percent from the floor and 2-for-18 from three-point range.
Sophomore Grace Lanier paced the Panthers with 16 points for her second consecutive double-figure scoring effort. Junior Kenaya Klintman added 14 points and six rebounds, while senior Ana Oliveira Dias pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.
UNC Asheville (2-0) knocked down 11-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc and was led by Tre'Miyah Berry, who scored a game-high 18 points off the bench while connecting on 6-of-8 three-pointers. Dariasia Pitts added 10 points and nine rebounds.
How It Happened
After trailing 8-6 midway through the opening quarter, Georgia State used its defensive pressure to hold UNC Asheville scoreless for more than four minutes and spark a 10-0 run. The Panthers forced eight first-quarter turnovers and took a 17-14 lead after one period behind 10 points from Klintman.
The Bulldogs responded in the second quarter, holding Georgia State without a field goal for the first 8:31 while building a nine-point advantage. UNC Asheville carried a 30-22 lead into the locker room.
The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 33-22 early in the third quarter before the Panthers mounted their strongest push of the night.
A Klintman layup with 3:23 remaining in the quarter trimmed the deficit to five, and less than a minute later, a defensive rebound by Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam led to a transition basket from Lanier that cut the margin to three.
The comeback was completed moments later when Oliveira Dias converted a steal into a layup, giving Georgia State a 42-41 advantage heading into the final quarter.
UNC Asheville answered immediately.
The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter on an 18-0 run before an Aryelle Stevens layup halted the surge with 4:15 remaining. Georgia State was unable to fully recover as the Bulldogs closed out the 10-point victory.
Postgame Notes
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Georgia State has forced 48 turnovers through its first two games of the season.
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UNC Asheville snapped Georgia State's three-game winning streak in the series. The Panthers still lead the all-time series 4-2.
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Georgia State opened a season 0-2 for the first time since 2024-25. That team responded by winning its next four games.
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The Panthers shot 14-for-18 (77.8%) from the free-throw line.
- Georgia State outscored UNC Asheville 34-18 in the paint.
- UNC Asheville's bench held a 26-9 advantage in scoring.
The Panthers return to Atlanta on Sunday for their home opener against Wofford inside the GSU Convocation Center at 2 p.m.
