SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State jumped on visiting Georgia State early and hung on for an 80-71 Sun Belt Conference win on Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

GSU (6-5, 1-1), which has been on the road for five days and was without two of its top three scorers, came out with little energy as host Texas State (7-5, 2-0) jumped out to an 18-6 lead with four 3-point baskets with 7 of 12 baskets in the first six minutes. By the end of the first quarter it was 25-11. By halftime, Texas State had extended its margin to 54-25, making 8 3-point baskets and shooting 61 percent (20 of 33). GSU shot 11 of 32 in the first half (34 percent) and 1 for 10 outside the 3-point arc.

In the second half, it was GSU that had more energy and outscored Texas State 46-26 after a 33-12 4th quarter. The Panthers shot 17 of 41 (42%) in the second half, while the Bobcats shot 7 of 32 (22%).

Georgia State held a 49-43 rebound advantage and hurt itself today by making just 12 of 26 free throws (46%).  GSU did force 19 turnovers and make 15 steals on defense, thanks to the second half. Missing top 3-point shooters Makeba Ponder and Tatianna Jackson, the Panthers managed just 3 of 18 outside the 3-point line. Texas State finished with 10 of 24 outside the arc.

"We have to give Texas State credit for making all their shots in the first half, but we sure stood around too much and gave them wide open shots wherever they wanted to take them," head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. "They start keeping score from the opening tip and we have to be ready much more than we were today. The credit for missing 14 of our 26 free throws is squarely on us. Going 1-1 on this Texas six-day road trip is a good Sun Belt start because it is always hard to win on the road. We're ready to come home to our home court for a while."

Texas State won for the fifth time in its last six games, while GSU's four-game win streak and wins in five of the last six games ended. GSU scored 46 points in the paint today, with 24 second-chance baskets.

Georgia State got 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench from sophomore Kennesha Nichols, with 11 points each from guards Erica Norwood and Madison Newby. Newby added five assists and four steals.

Texas State was led by Ericka May with 19 points and Kaitlin Walla with 15 points.

After playing 7 of its first 11 games on the road and going 6-5, Georgia State will welcome a home-stand with five straight games in the GSU Sports Arena from Thursday, Jan. 7 through Tuesday, Jan. 19.