Georgia State jumps on Hofstra early

By News services

For the AJC

Georgia State started strong for the second consecutive game, blowing out Hofstra 59-43 on Saturday. The victory clinches the team’s first winning regular season in seven years.

“I didn’t realize that until somebody told me,” coach Ron Hunter said. “I’m happy for the kids. Some of those kids have gone their whole careers without doing that.”

Devonta White shook off a month-long slump to make three 3-pointers in the first half. He finished with a game-high 15 points, a total he hadn’t reached in the previous 10 games. Rashaad Richardson chipped in with four 3-point shots.

Offense wasn’t the whole story. With six blocks, Eric Buckner became the Panthers’ career leader in that category, breaking by one the mark (128) held by Zavian Smith. Buckner needs one block to tie the single-season record (81) held by Sylvester Morgan.

“He’s playing the best basketball of his career right now,” Hunter said. “To do that in two years. It’s not only the ones that he blocks, but the ones he alters are more impressive.”

The Panthers (16-8, 8-5) won their second consecutive road game, and will host Northeastern on Wednesday night as they continue their push to secure a top-four seed in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. The Panthers are tied for fifth with five conference games remaining.

As they did in Wednesday’s victory at North Carolina Wilmington, Georgia State blitzed Hofstra with 3-pointers in the first half, making six.

In their past two games, the Panthers have made 11 3-pointers in the first half. The success has coincided with the return of Richardson to the starting lineup. He made three 3-pointers in the first half Saturday, after making two against the Seahawks. He finished with 12 points, all on 3-pointers.

And on defense they shut down the Pride’s best player and the CAA’s top scorer, Mike Moore, in the first half. He scored two points. He finished with 13, six less than his season average. The Panthers shut down the Seahawks’ Keith Rendleman in the first half of Wednesday’s victory, holding him without a field goal.

“I’m starting to see some things in our offense that I like,” Hunter said.

Staff writer Doug Roberson contributed to this article.