Williams wins game against Middle Tennessee

Guard Kevin Ware has the best chance from the Panthers 2016 men's basketball seniors to go pro. Photos Submitted by Mike Holmes | Georgia State Athletics
Guard Kevin Ware goes up for a layup during the season opening win against Middle Georgia State. Photos Submitted by Mike Holmes | Georgia State Athletics
Guard Kevin Ware goes up for a layup during the season opening win against Middle Georgia State.
Photos Submitted by Mike Holmes | Georgia State Athletics

On a night where there were 107 NCAA Men College Basketball games, Georgia State’s battle with Middle Tennessee stood with the most entertaining matches on Dec. 22.

Redshirt-sophomore Isaiah Williams go-ahead free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining gave the Panthers a 64-62 victory. Williams scored 13 and had five assists in addition to shooting 9-for-12 from the free throw line.

Senior Kevin Ware led the team with 18 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the field, to go along with six rebounds. Senior Markus Crider led the Panthers with three steals and 12 points and redshirt-junior Jeremy Hollowell added 10 points and three rebounds in the winning effort.

The Men’s Basketball team continues to shift this season’s starting lineup, with Jeff Thomas, T.J. Shipes, Hollowell, Williams and Ware getting the nod from head coach Ron Hunter.

The win pushes the team’s home winning streak to 12 games and Ware increased his free throws made streak to 20 in the second half. This is also the second game this season where Williams’ late free throws have resulted in a home win, the first coming against IUPUI on Nov. 27 when Williams forced overtime with 1.2 seconds left.

The team will now begin a 20-game in-conference stretch, playing at UT Arlington on Dec. 30. The Mavericks gained national attention earlier this season after beating Ohio State on the road on Nov. 20.