Georgia State Can’t Hold Double-Digit Lead, Lose Late at Arkansas State

The Georgia State Panthers (10-6, 3-2 in Sun Belt) dropped their second consecutive road contest, falling to the Arkansas State Red Wolves (11-5, 3-2 in Sun Belt) 90-87  in a back-and-forth affair. The Panthers led by as many as 13 points, but the Red Wolves used an impressive 16-5 run in the second half to tie the game 68-68 at the 10:22 mark. Georgia State would go on a 10-3 run of their own to retake the lead and go up 78-71 with 6:29 remaining in the game. From there, the two teams would trade blows, but a 4-point play by Jerry Johnson Jr with 0:30 put the Red Wolves up 86-84,  a lead that they would not relinquish. The Panthers fell to 3-6 away from the GSU Sports Arena. 

Four Panthers scored at least 10 points, with Damon Wilson leading the charge with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Although he fouled out, Kane Williams was the only other Panther starter to reach double digit points. He had 13 points, and dished out 4 assists. Nelson Phillips and Kavonte Ivory combined for 29 points, six rebounds and 2 steals off the bench. The Panthers committed a total of 30 fouls on the evening, leading to 42 Red Wolves free throw attempts – Arkansas State made them count, sinking 34.

The Red Wolves offense was led by J.J. Matthews, who paced them with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Four other Red Wolves reached double figures in their balanced attack, including Johnson Jr, who finished with 11 points and went a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. 

The Panthers are back in action this Thursday at the GSU Sports Arena, as they look to end their two-game skid against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Tipoff is at 7pm EST.