The GSU Sports Arena came alive Saturday as the Panthers dominated Coastal Carolina 76-56. After a slow first eight minutes, the Panthers would end up going on a 20-2 run thanks to four 3-pointers and their defense holding the Chanticleers to 19 percent shooting in the first half.
The second half wasn’t any better for the Chanticleers as the Panthers kept the pressure on with 48 points in the half to secure the victory. The Panthers move to 11-7 (4-2 Sun Belt) on the season and second in the conference standings.
Here are five things we learned from Georgia State’s victory:
1. It's raining 3's: In the first half, the Panthers made five 3-pointers, but the most important one came from Jeremy Hollowell at the end of the half to end a four-minute scoring drought.
The Panthers would carry that momentum into the second half by making 10 3-pointers and shooting 58 percent from the arc. D’Marcus Simonds led the team with four 3’s, and the team finished the game with a season-high 15 3-pointers and 45 percent shooting from behind the arc.
Seven Panthers players made a 3-point shot, and five of them made at least two.
2. Best defensive performance this season: Coastal Carolina entered the game on a four-game winning streak and were averaging 73 points per game. The Panthers defense brought out their best defensive performance of the season, holding Coastal Carolina to a season-low 56 points.
“Our defense is really starting to play well over the last three games,” coach Ron Hunter said in the postgame news conference. “To hold this team to 30 percent shooting with the guards they got, it’s just outstanding defense.”
The Chanticleers shot a mere 30 percent from the field and 26 percent from 3. The Panthers clogged the paint constantly and forced the Chanticleers to shoot 35 3-point field goals and allowed only 20 points in the paint.
3. The bench comes alive: The starters weren't the only ones making their shots. The Panthers' bench players combined for 28 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. The main contributor was Jeff Thomas, who had 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
“I thought Jeff Thomas did absolutely terrific today,” Hunter said. “His stat line was crazy for coming off the bench. I think everybody’s playing their best basketball. We’ve been waiting for Jeff. Once Jeff gets here, whew man its gone be really really fun what we become.”
4. All Panthers are finally healthy: Georgia State dominated in just about all phases on offense, defense and the bench play as well. Since the Middle Tennessee game, this is the third game in which the Panthers had their full lineup healthy, and the results are showing.
In their first home game since each suffered an injury, Isaiah Williams and Simonds came back hitting on all cylinders. Williams had eight points and four assists, while Simonds had 14 points and four rebounds.
“When you lose your starting backcourt its tough,” Hunter said about the injuries. “More importantly their practicing well. This week was the first time we got to practice with our entire unit since Dec. 18. We’re getting better, and we’re getting better at the right time.”
With their third consecutive conference win, this healthy Panthers team could be a dangerous one heading into February and March.
5. Rebounds a problem (specifically offensive rebounds): Despite a 20-point victory, everything wasn't perfect. The Panthers were out-rebounded 43-37 and allowed 16 offensive rebounds. If the Chanticleers had shot better than 30 percent from the field, this game could have been a lot closer.
“I was disappointed about that,” Hunter said about the rebounds. “We’ve been a really good rebounding team, and I thought our guards for the most part did a poor job of rebounding. I thought there were too many long rebounds. Our guards got to do a much better job of rebounding.”
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