In a game that appeared to be over from the opening tip, Georgia State men’s basketball began the 2014˗15 regular season with an authoritative 115˗55 victory over the Tennessee Temple Crusaders.
The Panthers came within seven points of tying the school record for most points scored in a game that was set in 1989 when Georgia State dropped 122 on Fort Valley State.
“I can’t say enough how much I like this team defensively,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “We’re getting better. I really, really like this team.”
The Panthers are now 25˗4 in games where they have scored at least 100 points.
Prior to the game, last year’s team won the regular season Sun Belt championship was honored with the unveiling of the commemorative championship banner.
Among those on hand were students from the School of Hospitality with special “The Hunt is On” shirts as well as athletic director Charlie Cobb.
Two words can sum up the first half: all Panthers.
This one began with Georgia State putting the game’s first six points on the board which included four for Ryan Harrow and a pair for Markus Crider before Tennessee Temple’s Sean Anthony scored two points to end the early Panthers 6˗0 run.
Midway through the first half, Georgia State’s defense continued to be on full display as they held the Crusaders to only nine points with nine minutes to play in the first period. The Panthers’ lead became 18˗9 then later increased to fourteen at 23˗9.
The Crusaders appeared to be completely overmatched as the next few minutes would see Georgia State embark on a 14˗3 run that saw their lead balloon to 37˗12.
With the first half nearing its close, Georgia State’s advantage would reach 30 at 48˗18 before a 4˗1 Crusaders made the game 49˗23. The Panthers closed out the half with an R.J. Hunter three˗pointer to bring the halftime score to 54˗25.
| Georgia State | Ryan Harrow: 16 points, 6˗9 shooting | R.J. Hunter: 19 points, 5˗9 shooting |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Temple | Bryan Jones: 12 points, 5˗8 shooting | Sean Anthony: 3 points, 1˗4 shooting |
Two words can sum up the rest of the game: all Panthers.
More of the same would be seen as the second half began. Tennessee Temple did score five of the period’s first nine points, but the Crusaders began committing several fouls to put Georgia State at the free throw line a lot early in the second half.
The Panthers’ lead did increase back to 30 at 60˗30 before it became 35 at 68˗33. All of the fouls being committed did slow the pace of the game down before a 7˗0 run increased the Georgia State advantage to 74˗33.
This game was never in doubt as the lead eventually grew to 50 midway through the period.
With four minutes and eighteen minutes left to go, David Travers’ hit a three as he was fouled to bring Georgia State over the century mark. Travers brought his point total to seven at the Panthers’ point total became 101.
The final score was 115˗55 in favor of Georgia State.
Instrumental in the victory was Kevin Ware’s defense. Ware played 28 minutes and was second on the team in steals with three.
“Ware is not what you would call that big time scorer. But, he changes the game on defense. He makes other guys want to defend,” Hunter said.
| Georgia State | Tennessee Temple |
|---|---|
| Bohannon: Ryan Harrow: 25 points, 9˗15 shooting | R.J. Hunter: 24 points, 7˗14 shooting |
| Bryan Jones: 17 points, 7˗10 shooting | B.J. Brown: 10 points, 4˗6 shooting |
The next six games for the Panthers will be on the road, including a huge non˗conference matchup against Iowa State on Monday.
