Instead of the usual three things I learned, here’s the one thing I learned after Georgia State’s victory 83-63 victory over Old Dominion:

1. R.J. Hunter can shoot (I'm a paid observer you know!)

Seriously, Hunter was most efficient in getting his 38 points. He needed just 18 shots, which included 15 3-pointers. His last 3-pointer was the ridiculous fade-away shot with a defender draped all over him. His second-to-last came from the corner, where he was left wide open on an inbounds play. According to Brian Mull (@BGMull), who expertly covers UNCW and the CAA for the Star-News (one of my former employers), Hunter's efficiency rating of 38 was the highest in the CAA this year.

Hunter’s 10 made 3-pointers broke the previous mark of nine set most recently by Thomas Terrell in 2001. Hunter’s 38 is the seventh-most points in school history, tying the mark set most recently by Anton Reese in 1998. It also tied for the most 3-pointers in Colonial Athletic Association history and is the most points scored in the conference this season.

Here is his boxscore:

FG-FGA

12-18

3-ptr

10-15

FT

4-5

Here's how his 3-pointers compare to the other Georgia State record-holders:

Terrell – 9 of 12

Anton Reese – 9 of 18 (most three’s ever attempted by a GSU player in a game)

Kevin Morris – 9 of 11

Hunter also had five rebounds, two blocks (including blocking a dunk attempt in which he slid down from his spot in the defense to provide backside help) and two steals.

The 38 points came a game after he tied his career-high with 27 points in beating Northeastern. He scored 12 consecutive points in the first half of that game.

He surpassed that against the Monarchs, scoring 19 consecutive points in the second half in a five-minute span.

I don’t believe I’ve ever heard the Sports Arena as loud as after Hunter’s dunk gave him 38 points as the crowd alternated between chants of “MVP” and “40, 40, 40.”

Hunter said he didn’t think about 40, instead he was ready to come out of the game. For Wednesday, I’m working on a story about if Hunter should be considered as a candidate for MVP in the Colonial Athletic Association. I’ve solicited the league’s coaches, SID, radio announcers and media. We’ll see what they say.

Ron Hunter told me this morning that, as a dad he is really proud of R.J. "because he has handled himself very well through it all."

He said he called R.J. last night to see if he wanted to go to a celebratory dinner and he turned him down.

"He is enjoying his college experience and as a dad that makes me happy and proud," he said.

Bonus what I learned:

The team will live or die with the 3-pointer and it must rebound.

Georgia State looked like it was going to bury the Monarchs after opening with five consecutive 3-pointers to open a 15-3 lead. But then they started missing those shots and the Monarchs rallied to take a short-lived lead.

They did it by crashing the boards, outrebounding the Panthers by eight in the first half, including by seven on the offensive glass.

Coach Ron Hunter said the team lost its intensity after it got off to the fast start and it’s something they have to work to improve.

The team improved its rebounding in the second half, but the Monarchs still won that statistical battle, 22-18.

Coming tomorrow

Catching up with new assistant football coach P.J. Volker