DeLAND, FLA. - Georgia State came from 10 points down in the 4th quarter to defeat Bethune-Cookman 68-61 Sunday in the openig day of the Stetson Hatter Classic.

GSU squandered a seven-point first half lead themselves to trail 33-30 at half after a 10-0 B-C run. In the third quarter, Bethune-Cookman built the lead to 11 points at 45-34 with 4:32 in that period. Early in the 4th, B-C (in nearby Daytona Beach) led 51-41 with 8:35 to play. From that point on, GSU outscored B-C 27-10 to post the win. GSU had a 29-point scoring 4th quarter and held B-C to 13 points.

Georgia State (4-4) was led by junior forward Alaysia Mitchell with 17 points and 9 rebounds. PG Erica Norwood, eligible after sitting her transfer year, made her first game solid with 14 points and 4-of-6 3-point baskets. Sophomore Makeba Ponder added 14 more points. Freshman Astaja Tyghter, from nearby Orlando, had eight points and eight rebounds in front of her family and friends.

Georgia State's rally was sparked by its defense. On the day, GSU forced 21 turnovers and made 13 steals. Makeba Ponder had six of those steals to lead that effort.

B-C got 20 points and 11 rebounds from Taylor Houston, while Kendra Cooper added 20 points.

The game was tied three times in the 4th quarter and 53, 55 and 57, the last one coming at 2:56. Ponder made a steal, a lay-up and coverted a free throw to put GSU ahead to stay in the first key moment. GSU led 60-59 when it ran a set for Norwood, who calmly knocked down her fourth 3-pointer of the game to make it 63-59 with 1:27. Newby and Ponder each swished a pair of free throws inthe final 15 seconds to seal the win.

GSU played all 13 players who dressed today (Tatianna Jackson sat with an injury), thus the bench provided 41 of GSU's 68 points today.

The Panthers took 15 more shots than B-C (68-53) and shot 38 percent for the game. The big key to the shooting was GSU making 10 of 19 shots in the fourth quarter.

GSU will play Stetson at 1 p.m. on Monday on Day 2 of the Hatter Classic.