ATLANTA – Little Rock remained within striking distance of Georgia State all evening, but couldn't get over the hump in the second half as the Panthers pull away over the final four minutes, handing the Trojans the 73-64 loss at the GSU Sports Arena.
The loss drops Little Rock to 4-12 on the year and 1-2 in Sun Belt play as Georgia State improves to 10-6 overall and gets its first conference victory, improving to 1-2.
The loss came despite a career-high performance from
Camron Reedus, who finished with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including going 5-of-7 from three-point range.
Jaizec Lottie also finished with 10 points, finishing in double figures for Little Rock.
As a team, the Trojans shot 41.7 percent from the floor, hitting 25-of-60, but had their best three-point outing of the season, hitting nine of their 17 attempts (52.9%). Little Rock held Georgia State to 40.8 percent from the floor (20-for-49) and 37.0 percent from three-point range (10-of-27).
But the glaring difference came at the free throw line as Little Rock took just seven free throws, compared to 33 for Georgia State. The Panthers made 23 free throws compared to five for the Trojans, provided an 18-point differential.
Nine different Trojans scored on the night as
Kris Bankston also notched a career-high with eight points and nine rebounds, nearly hitting a double-double. His output was matched by
Andre Jones who added five rebounds and three assists.
Anthony Black finished with seven points with a career-high seven assists with
Oliver Black notching six points and seven rebounds.
Little Rock and Georgia State played a fairly evenly matched opening 20 minutes as the two teams combined for four ties and four lead changes. Little Rock's largest lead was three with the Panthers holding a seven-point edge at one point, but neither team was able to put together an extended run.
Reedus provided a spark off the bench for the Trojans, hitting three-straight threes and finishing with 11 first half points, helping keep Little Rock within striking range. Reedus headed an efficient performance from beyond the arc in the opening half as the Trojans were 5-of-9.
Fouls proved to be one of the keys over the opening 20 minutes as Little Rock was whistled 10 times, compared to just three fouls for Georgia State, leading to an 11-2 free throw advantage. Despite that, Little Rock had a chance to take a lead into the half, trailing 32-31 in the waning seconds. But a shot from Black was off the mark and the Panthers hit a long three as time expired, giving Georgia State the 35-31 halftime edge.
A quick steal and basket by A. Black to open the second half pulled Little Rock to within two, a spot it would match twice in the opening minutes of the second half. The Trojans' defense held the Panthers to just one basket on 11 attempts over a three-minute span, but Little Rock was held scoreless for nearly six minutes, watching Georgia State open a 48-41 lead at the midway point of the second.
Little Rock continued to chip away at the lead, pulling to within one at 53-52 with six minutes remaining thanks to five-straight from Lottie. The freshman hit a three from the wing, then had a steal and a transition layup.
But the Trojans were unable to get over the hump as Georgia State hit timely threes and benefitted from the decided free throw advantage, pulling away from Little Rock over the final three minutes to hand Little Rock the 73-64 defeat.
Georgia State has won the last two meetings against Little Rock although the Trojans still hold a 19-6 edge in the series. Little Rock remains winless on the road this season and has dropped its last 10 away from the Jack Stephens Center, dating back to last season.
Little Rock will try and end that streak Saturday, making the trip southeast to Statesboro to meet up with Georgia Southern. The Eagles earned a convincing victory over Arkansas State Thursday night and enter the game at 11-5 on the year and 2-1 in Sun Belt play. Opening tip against Georgia Southern is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT from Hanner Fieldhouse.
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