Last Wednesday, the Georgia State men’s basketball team fell back into their streak as they lost against the Colonial Athletic Association leaders the Northeastern Huskies (52-63). Three days later they lost again to the Towson Tigers (69-74) after a hard fight into overtime.
Tied by the end of first half, the Huskies managed to pull ahead, making the game Northeastern’s 16th win out of the last 17 games because of harmful turnovers.
“I thought our kids fought hard, and again we put ourselves in position to win, but we had a couple of costly turnovers down the stretch,” said Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes.
For the first time in his Georgia State career, Joe Dukes was left with no points scored at the end of the game while playing with a sore back. Meanwhile, Marques Johnson scored a career-high of 9 points.
Three days later against Towson, the men’s basketball team left its first half in the lead (36-31). Toward the end of the game the Tigers slowly began to take back control resulting in a tied score. On the last second of the game, Towson missed the jumper, taking the game into overtime. But once again, Georgia State’s turnovers and minor mistakes cost them the win.
The next three straight games will be held back at home starting Feb. 16 against James Madison in the Sports Arena at 7 p.m.
The Georgia State women’s basketball team also lost their two games against Towson that were delayed a day because of snow in Baltimore (55-50), and Delaware (65-68).
Throughout the game against Towson the score remained close with six lead changes, the score tying five times. But with Georgia State shooting at just 35 percent, the win was up for grabs.
“We showed toughness, came back and kept fighting, but our open shots weren’t going in today,” said head coach Lea Henry.
Traci Haltiwanger and Crystal Johnson both scored 11 points, and although Danyiell McKeller scored a season low of five points, she still led the team with 10 rebounds and five steals.
With only 9.7 seconds, Georgia State had to make the decision of either to win with three or tie with two against Delaware. Crystal Johnson beat her defender and passed it to Shay Rawls for an open layup, but unfortunately missed with 1.3 seconds left on the clock and lost the game.
“It was a great play after our final timeout, but it just didn’t drop today,” Coach Lea Henry said. “Crystal Johnson penetrated, made a good decision and a good pass, but it didn’t drop for Shay (Rawls). And Shay had played so well today and all her previous good plays today had us in position for that final play. Everybody on the floor played tough and hard today and represented themselves and the school well. We had focus and determination and played with energy, but we all wish we could have come away with the win.”
Despite the final layup, Shay Rawls obtained her personal-best with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lady Panthers return home to host Old Dominion at the Sports Arena at 6 p.m.
Basketball teams fall into slump
Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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Trae Goldston makes his way down the Sports Arena court.
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Angelique Burtts plays against Delaware.
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Traci Haltiwanger plays against Delaware.
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