Georgia State looked like its normal self with a 68-41 win over Texas State Monday at the GSU Sports Arena.
The game came two nights after the Panthers’ first loss since Dec. 7 Saturday against Troy to end the team’s 14-game winning streak, the longest in school history.
“We wanted to make a statement defensively,” Head Coach Ron Hunter said. “The last 48 hours have not been really good in our program.”
Hunter said he was glad that the streak was over because he felt like it was getting to his players and adding pressure.
“I’m glad that that’s over with so we can get back in the business of winning championships,” Hunter said.
The Panthers moved up to two and a half games ahead of Western Kentucky holding their top spot in the conference.
Monday’s game featured Ryan Harrow reaching 1,000 career points on a free-throw mid-way through the second half as cheers of “That’s 1,000” filled the arena.
“When they said that when I was at the free-throw line, I thought I was going to miss my next free-throw,” Harrow said. “You have four guys who have scored 1,000 points, but none of us are selfish players,” Harrow said on the offense adding Manny Atkins in his list who needs seven points to reach 1,000.
R.J. Hunter joined Devonta White in the 1,000 point club in Saturday’s game.
“It’s just great to have all these 1,000 point scorers,” Ron Hunter said adding it was impressive Harrow accomplished it over three schools: NC State, Kentucky and Georgia State. “I’ve never coached four 1,000 point scorers. That’s an incredible, incredible deal.”
Harrow scored a game-high 17 points and shot 5-for-5 at the free-throw line.
The Panthers had an explosive second half compensating for the lack of action in the first.
With a 14-point lead at halftime, the Panthers immediately came out with a 27-7 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Atkins had three 3-pointers in the second half, but the highlight was a dunk by Curtis Washington set up by a pass from Atkins to energize the crowd and further add to the Bobcat’s turmoil.
The Bobcats shot 29.4 percent for the game making 15 shots from the floor.
It was an odd first half to say the least as there was no score until more than three minutes into the game when Harrow started with a layup.
Offense was stagnant for a few more minutes until Wes Davis tied the game at two almost seven minutes into the game.
Turnovers were a problem early for the Panthers as they committed three in five minutes before going on a 22-7 run to end the first half. The Panthers ended with eight turnovers.
The Bobcats only made five shots from the floor in the first half shooting under 23 percent, and the Panthers were able to capitalize on rebounds.
Both teams finished with 31 rebounds, but Georgia State had 28 defensive rebounds compared to Texas State’s 21.
Ron Hunter said the team’s win “shows the values of coaching” and said that ice storms and family business do not result in wins. Hunter said during the winter storm that closed the university last week, he had R.J. Hunter, Harrow and Atkins run practice.
“I will not let these guys run practice ever again, and R.J. [Hunter] will never coach in the history of coaching,” Ron Hunter said.
The Panthers continue a busy week with two more games this week, Thursday against Louisiana-Monroe and Saturday night against Louisiana-Lafayette.
