It had been a while since Georgia State coach Jonas Hayes has been able to smile. Three national holidays and 38 days to be exact. That was the last time the Panthers won a game.
Hayes was finally able to exhale and grab a grin on Saturday when Georgia State beat Louisiana 94-70 at the GSU Convocation Center to end a seven-game losing streak and earn its first Sun Belt Conference win of the season.
“I think we finally put together, for the most part, a complete game in terms of the thoughtfulness we put toward making the right play, playing with effort, playing for each other, the level of concentration and urgency,” Hayes said. “It was there for a good portion of the game. I’m excited to take this step forward in game three of our (conference) season.”
The win was Georgia State’s sixth straight home victory against Louisiana dating back to 2016.
The Panthers (5-10, 1-2) sported a new lineup and it produced dividends. Jelani Hamilton and Clash Peters were inserted in the lineup in place of regulars Nick McMullen and Zarique Nutter and generated the sort of energy and effort that was lacking on Wednesday’s lifeless loss to South Alabama.
“Just a hunch,” Hayes said. “You try to tinker and figure out what’s best for our unit going forward. Jelani is a hell of a ballplayer. Clash is a hell of a ballplayer and Clash knows one speed and that’s hard and physical.”
Hamilton scored 15 points and has scored in double figures in three of the last four games. Peters had eight rebounds, matching his season high against Division I competition. McMullen responded with a season-high 22 points and 14 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Nutter was not with the team.
“Nick had a phenomenal game in 30 minutes off the bench,” Hayes said. “That’s the Nick McMullen I know. He was intentional with his effort today and I thought he was really good. Jelani and Clash gave us phenomenal minutes to start the game and that’s what a team does. You play the way you’re capable for the good of the team, not the good of yourself.”
The offensive revival of GSU’s Toneari Lane also continued. The Grayson product scored 21 points, including three 3-pointers, and Cesare Edwards came up with 20 points and seen rebounds.
Louisiana (4-11, 2-1) was led by Mostapha el Moutaouakkil with 17 points and nine rebounds and veteran Kentrell Garnett with 13 points.
GSU made its move with a 13-0 run early in the first half to take a 25-13 lead. A later 10-0 run upped the lead to 35-18 and a 7-2 flourish to finish the half stretched the lead to 51-32.
The Panthers led by as many as 28 points with 10:34 remaining. A late 10-point stretch by the Ragin’ Cajuns made the score more respectable.
Louisiana has had its share of drama this season, too. The Ragin’ Cajuns, historically one of the most successful teams in the Sun Belt, notified longtime coach Bob Marlin that a change was coming and offered him a chance to finish the season and resign. But Marlin took the $400,000 cash buyout for being fired and rode off into the bayou after a 3-9 start.
Louisiana turned to assistant Derrick Zimmerman, who had been on staff for four seasons, and was an all-SEC player at Mississippi State and spent 10 seasons at the professional level.
About the Author
