GSU STARTS 5-GAME HOME-STAND THURSDAY VS. TROY at 5 P.M.
 
     After playing 7 of its first 11 games on the road, Georgia State (6-5, 1-1) returns home for the first time since Dec. 5 (33 days) when it plays host to Troy (6-5, 1-1) in a Sun Belt Conference doubleheader with the men's teams. Tip is at 5 p.m. ET.

   The Panthers' four-game win streak was snapped on Saturday at Texas State as GSU split its pair of road Sun Belt games. It is possible that GSU could have all 14 players on the roster active for the first time this season.

    These games require no shot clocks as the teams set the Sun Belt record for combined points in a game (201 in 2014) and all four games over the two years in the SBC have seen 160 or more points scored. Troy won last year's game in Atlanta 96-87 with 183 points scored on Jan. 10 in a game with 17 lead changes and 10 ties.

FAST, FASTER, FASTEST....

   Troy is known for its scoring and fast pace, but Georgia State has also been known to get up and down the floor quickly.

    One can look at offensive stats and say there must be no defense, but one can look at defense and say that is why there is offense.

    • Troy is No. 12 in the NCAA (349 schools) in steals with 12.8 per game.
    • Georgia State is No. 25 in the NCAA in steals with 11.0 thefts per game.

   Troy is No. 8 in the NCAA is scoring with 84.5 points per game, while GSU averages 70.5 points per game to sit No. 88 of the 349 schools. In the four games over the two years in the Sun Belt, the teams have combined for 160 or more points in all four games.

   Troy is No. 335 in the NCAA (349 schools) in defense and allows 79.7 points per game. GSU is No. 303 in the NCAA and allows 71.4 points per game.

    This year, Troy has scored 118, 194, 103, 100 and 93 in its 11 games. But, they have allowed 102, 101, 97, 90 and 89 points.

    This year, GSU has scored 90, 80 and 76 for bests, while allowing 99, 83 and 80 for highs.

   Troy is No. 86 in the NCAA in 3-point baskets made (7.8 per game).  GSU is down to 5 made per game with the absence of Ponder and Tatianna Jackson the past few games.

    This game could even be like a hockey match where the teams decide to substitute five players at a time to keep the tempo up and the defensive pressure for ball steals aggressive at all times.

    For this game, if the shot clock operator gets to run down to 0, that might be big news.

    Down not out:  GSU has trailed in all six of its wins this year. The Panthers came from 16 points down to beat Kennesaw State, 15 points down to beat UT Arlington, 11 points behind to beat Bethune-Cookman, six points down to beat Stetson and four points down to beat Howard and North Florida.

THE SERIES

   Troy has won three of the four games in this series over two years as Sun Belt members, but Georgia State holds a commanding 22-8 lead in the all-time series.

   The teams scored a Sun Belt record 201 points in Troy's 111-90 win on 2/15/14. Last year in Atlanta (1/10/15), Troy claimed a 96-87 win (183 total points). That game in the Sports Arena last year had 161 FG attempts, 31 FT attempts, 94 rebounds, 40 assists and 21 3-point baskets. Troy won the game last year in Troy (2/28/15) with 163 points (88-75). GSU's win came in Atlanta on 1/1/14 with 162 points in that 85-77 decision.

GSU BY THE NUMBERS

   2 -  Number of seniors on roster (Morgan Jackson and Ashlee Cole)
           
   9 -   Number of new players on this year's roster, plus one transfer sitting out the year per NCAA rules.

 11.0 - Steals per game that GSU is averaging this year with 121 in the 11 games (No. 25 in NCAA).

  12 -  Number of different players to start a game so far this year for GSU.  It could rise if Haley Gerrin, or Kierra Henry earn the assignment from the coach.

  15 -   Number of road games GSU will play this year.

  15.9 - Number of offensive rebounds the Panthers are averaging this year to lead the Sun Belt.

  19.4 - Number of turnovers GSU forces per game (No. 50 in NCAA).

  40 -  This is the 40th year of Georgia State women's basketball.

  70 -  Career 3-point baskets by senior guard Ashlee Cole.

  70.5 - Points per game GSU is averaging after scoring 80 in the last win over Stetson (Dec. 21).

  88 -   Career 3-point baskets by sophomore guard Makeba Ponder.

  175 - Number of offensive rebounds GSU has this year (165.9 per game) to lead the conference.

  259 - Career wins by head coach Baldwin-Tener.

  400 - Career point total. Makeba Ponder just passed with 420 points to reach that total, while Tatianna Jackson needs 21 more points to hit that plateau.

  500 - This will be the 500th game for Coach Baldwin-Tener as a head coach.