Women’s basketball defeats South Alabama for second straight conference win

Georgia State women’s basketball earned its second consecutive Sun Belt victory against the South Alabama Jaguars on the road by a final score of 84-78. The team’s record now stands at 10-12 on the season and 5-8 in the Sun Belt.

First Half

The game began with both teams trading the first six points over the first four minutes of play. Georgia State managed to grab a pair of offensive rebounds. Four consecutive points by Brittany Logan would give the Panthers a 10-6 lead.

With the score at 12-8 in the Panthers’ favor, a three-pointer from Ponder extended Georgia State’s early lead to 15-8.

The Panthers’ lead would later become 17-10. Ponder grabbed a foul against redshirt sophomore guard Grace Farnsworth, who made one of two free throws to cut the Jaguars’ deficit to 17-11. A three from Morgan Jackson expanded the Georgia State lead to 20-11.

Georgia State would assume leads of 22-13 and 25-16. Midway through the first half, sophomore guard Colby Davis was fouled and made a pair of free throws. This made the score 25-18 before Alisha Andrews’ three-pointer made it a 28-18 game in the Panthers’ favor.

With the score at 31-21, Ponder’s third three of the game extended the lead to 34-21.

The Panthers achieved a layup from Nichols and Ponder extended the lead to 39-32.

A successful free throw from Daniels along with four straight points from freshman center Chyna Ellis gave South Alabama two at 39-37.

Two-pointers from Andrews and Haley Gerrin made it a six points game with Georgia State in front, 43-37. A layup from Daniels with 13 seconds remaining in the first half gave the Jaguars 43-39 as the game reached halftime.

Second Half

Ashley Watson’s first two points of the game gave the Panthers a 45-39 lead before another three by Hall gave South Alabama made the score 45-42. Gaby Moss’ first two points of the game made it 47-42.

Georgia State’s advantage would become 49-44. After one made free throw by Daniels off a foul by Gerrin, the Panthers’ lead became 55-45 with four more points by Logan and two from Nichols.

Midway through the second half, the score became 59-50 before another three by Daniels increased her point total to 27 as the Jaguars closed within 59-53.

Georgia State had a lead of 61-55 before a three from junior guard Rachel Cumbo and a two-pointer by Hall cut the Jaguars’ deficit down to one at 61-60.

Ellis would later make one of two from the free throw line after a foul by Gerrin briging South Alabama within 72-61.

Georgia State would maintain its eleven-point advantage with leads of 74-63 and 76-65 before a three from Hall increased her point output to 13.

With 2:45 remaining in the game, a turnover by Nichols led to Daniels increasing her point output to 35 as the Jaguars closed 76-70. This would be followed by a foul on Daniels against Ponder, who made one of two from the line to give Georgia State a 77-70 advantage

The Panthers would maintain its seven-point lead at 79-72 and 80-73. It would also be the case with thirteen seconds left as Georgia State led by a score of 82-75.

With eight seconds remaining, Hall fouled Andrews who made a pair of free throws making the score 84-75. Cumbo ended the game with a three bringing the final score to 84-78, with Georgia State prevailing.

The Panthers return to the court on Saturday as they hit the road facing Texas State at 3:00 p.m.

Final Stats
Georgia State South Alabama
Ponder: 19 points, 5-10 three pointers Logan: 16 points, eight rebounds
Daniels: 37 points, 13-18 shooting Hall: 13 points