A recap of Georgia State's 85-34 win over Oglethorpe on Monday at the GSU Sports Arena:
Noteworthy
- Indiana transfer Jeremy Hollowell had 13 points and 10 rebounds in his first playing for the Panthers. Coach Ron Hunter said this is the type of scoring line you are likely to see from Hollowell, a 6-foot-8 forward. Hollowell hit 6-of-9 field goals and added an assist and a steal.
- Isaiah Dennis is taking over the role previously held by Devonta White and Ryan Harrow as the engine of the offense. He had 11 points and was a perfect 4-of-4. He wasn't happy that he didn't get more rebounds (1) and that he missed one of his four free throws. He added three assists. His jump shot was much smoother last year. He said assistant coach Everick Sullivan has worked with him on shooting while going up, and Dennis can go up for a long time. "Not any pressure on him," Hunter said. "He's ready for this. This is the guy that has to do the dirty work and lead us. He's got the keys to the Georgia State Mercedes this year."
- Freshman Jeff Thomas scored a game-high 15 points, but hit just 6-of-15 shots, a streaky display that prompted Hunter to say he reminded him very much of his son, R.J. Hunter, who left Georgia State after becoming the school's all-time leading scorer after just three seasons. Dennis said he was surprised that Thomas' shot was off because he makes everything in practice, which is what everyone was saying about the 6-foot-6 guard. He made just two of his eight 3-pointers, but it was his first game in 18 months.
- Markus Crider and Kevin Ware, veterans from last year's team, looked very smooth. Crider finished with 11 points and five rebounds. A more aggressive Ware finished with seven points and three assists.
- Hunter was pleased with Georgia State's defense, which fueled a 26-0 run to start the game. The Petrels didn't score until there was 10:21 left in the first half.
Key stat
32
Georgia State forced 32 turnovers, including 20 steals. Oglethorpe had just 11 field goals.
Quote of the game
“Will they score?”
The chant raised by Georgia State’s student section in the first half.
Report card
Offense: A. The Panthers had 16 assists on 33 field goals and shot 50 percent from the field.
Defense: A. It's hard to argue with how the Panthers played. The Petrels missed 30 of their 41 shots, including 21 of their 27 3-pointers. They were outrebounded by 10.
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