GA Southern defeats Georgia St 90-67
GA Southern Dominates Georgia St in Conference Showdown
The Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center was filled with energy on Friday night as the Georgia Southern Eagles hosted their conference rival, the Georgia State Panthers. In a game that saw the Eagles completely outclass their visitors, Georgia Southern emerged victorious with a resounding 90-67 win.
From the opening tip, it was clear that this would be a statement game for the home team. The Eagles' high-powered offense, led by 19 points and 7 rebounds from Spudd Webb, set the tone early on, building a 44-41 halftime lead. While Georgia State's Jelani Hamilton kept his team in the game with 19 points of his own, it was too little, too late.
As the second half got underway, Georgia Southern continued to push its advantage, outscoring Georgia State by an impressive 23 points. The Panthers' Micah Tucker struggled to find his rhythm, managing just 8 points and 2 rebounds on a night where he had produced in significant numbers earlier in the season.
The final margin was a staggering 23 points, with Georgia Southern's superior rebounding performance on both ends of the floor playing a major role. The Eagles outrebounded their visitors by 10, grabbing 26 defensive boards to Georgia State's 16.
Advanced statistics only reinforced the notion that Georgia Southern had simply outplayed its opponent. The Eagles shot an impressive 46.8% from beyond the arc, while limiting Georgia State to just 37.0%. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern's free throw shooting was a perfect 89.0%, with the Panthers struggling to find the bottom of the net at a mere 71.0%.
For Georgia Southern, this win marked a significant statement in conference play. With several top-ranked teams still ahead on the schedule, the Eagles' victory served as a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum heading into the coming weeks.
In contrast, Georgia State's loss stung, with the Panthers now sitting at 1-3 in conference play. Despite their valiant effort, the team simply couldn't keep up with Georgia Southern's pace and depth.
As the teams departed the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center on Friday night, it was clear that this win would have significant implications for both programs moving forward.