R.J. Hunter made a baseline jumper with 12 seconds left to lift Georgia State to a 73-72 win over Arkansas State on Thursday at the GSU Sports Arena.
It was a frantic finish for both teams as the Panthers rallied from a seven-point deficit with 4 minutes, 10 seconds left.
Georgia State (11-6, 4-0) has won eight consecutive games, tying the second-longest win streak in school history, to remain the only unbeaten team in the Sun Belt. The Panthers will host Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday. Ron Hunter will coach in his bare feet as part of his annual efforts to assist the charity Samaritan’s Feet.
R.J. Hunter led the Panthers with 23 points. Devonta White added 15, Ryan Harrow 11 and Manny Atkins 10. The Panthers made 10 of 11 free throws, seeing their streak snapped at 38 when Curtis Washington missed one with 5:32 left. Georgia State, one of the nation’s better teams at keeping the ball, committed only six turnovers compared with Arkansas State’s 12.
It appeared as if Georgia State was going to lose its first game at home this season, in front a packed house no less, following three consecutive baskets by the Red Wolves (10-6, 3-2) late in the second half.
Former Georgia Tech player Brandon Reed made a 3-pointer, Cameron Golden recovered an airball and put it in for a layup and Melvin Johnson had a breakaway dunk following a turnover by Washington to take a 69-62 lead in the final five minutes.
The Panthers fought back and cut their deficit to 71-69 on a 3-pointer by Hunter, who struggled with the shot to that point.
After an Arkansas State free throw, Harrow made a floating jumper to cut the gap to 72-71 with 1:37 left.
The teams traded possessions before Georgia State secured possession and called timeout with 21.5 seconds left.
Harrow took the inbounds pass and moved toward the center before cutting left. He had the option to try to beat his man and get into the free-throw lane, or pass the ball.
He found Hunter, who elected not to try a 3-pointer from the wing. He instead cut left toward the baseline, where he rose up to a make a 15-foot jumper and send the crowd into a frenzy.
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