The men’s basketball team got back to winning at home as they defeated Southern Poly 86-58. The win increases their record to 5-4, while this is the sixth loss in ten games on the season for Southern Poly.
The opening half was very competitive, as the most a team led by was by six points. The Panthers had a somewhat of a slow start – something that they have yet to fix, according to Georgia State coach Ron Hunter.
“We’re not mature enough, right now, as a basketball team. We don’t have enough experience as a basketball team right now in order to put teams away. And it shows in our starts,” Hunter said. “If you ask anything that is the biggest thing we have with a young with a basketball team, it’s very obvious it’s our starts.”
Forward Manny Atkins had nine points and three rebounds, while guard R.J. Hunter had seven points along with four rebounds. Cameron Solomon, who started in the initial squad, also had six at the end of the half.
The score was 37-35 Georgia State at the half’s closing with Southern Poly getting 19 of their 35 from Chase Robinson, who was also 5-10 on three-point shots. No one else on the team had more than six in the first half.
Despite the slow start, Georgia State’s finish was strong. Their defense held Southern Poly to only 23 points in the second half and a field goal percentage of only 32 percent.
What jumpstarted the second half for Georgia State was a 13-0 run, the highlight of which was a James Vincent dunk on a pass from Devonta White.
“I didn’t have one since the first four games,” Vincent said. “I wanted to get everybody hyped up, so I took my chance. And it worked.”
Vincent finished with seven points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.
Hunter, White, and Rashaad Richardson also turned in strong second half performances as they all scored double digits.
“I think we just settled down a little bit,” player Hunter said. “I don’t really know what it is, I just think we kind of regrouped and we had to play better. We just came out and had better shots.”
Hunter finished with 21 points. Devonta White and Manny Atkins each had 16 and Richardson helped the team out with 15.
14 Georgia State players would get playing time in the game. Only Chase Robinson would end the game with double digit points for Southern Poly.
“Every team that we’ve played this year has played their best game. That’s the respect that people have for Georgia State,” coach Hunter said. “We get everybody’s best shot now. It’s almost like we’re the hunted. That’s something that I tell these guys about the respect of our program. Now we’ve got to match that and we’ve got to do better.”
Georgia State’s next game will be at Troy on Saturday, Dec. 15 before returning to the Sports Arena to play Southern Miss.
