"I saw a lot of good things out there," said head coach Rod Barnes, who enters his third season at Georgia State. "We probably played better offensively than defensively.

"When we had a certain combination out there, we looked pretty good, but we've got to get some other guys playing better.

"I thought Joe Dukes had a great day," continued Barnes. "Ousman Krubally and Xavier Hansbro both played well, so that was encouraging to have two guys on the front line with good performances. We didn't shoot the ball as well as I would like, particularly guys who I believe will shoot well for us."

Dukes, the Panthers all-CAA guard, had 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting, along with four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one only turnover in 29 minutes. He spent most of the first half at the point, playing alongside Trae Goldston, then handed the play-making duties to Marques Johnson, the transfer from NC State, and moved to the shooting guard slot.  

"Joe was a little under the weather today, but you couldn't tell that from the way he played," said Barnes. "We're trying to get him off the ball some, and I really liked the combinations where we had Joe at the off guard. Especially on a day like today, when Trae Goldston didn't shoot the ball as well as he can, we have some other options."

Playing for both sides, Hansbro combined for 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and four blocked shots. He was particularly effective in the first half when, playing primarily with projected starters, he went 7-for-11 from the field for 14 points, plus five rebounds, four assists and a block.

"Xavier is probably our most improved player," said Barnes of the 6-10 senior from Trezevant, Tenn. "He's in better condition than he's ever been, he's more aggressive and he's playing more with more confidence. As I've told him, it's time. He's been good in practice, and now we need him to play like that consistently."

Krubally added 28 points, going 13-for-19 from the field, and 13 rebounds.

"It was a good scrimmage and a good opportunity for our guys to play a 40-minute game with officials," said Barnes. "I feel pretty good about where we are but I also realize that we've got to get better.

"If we were all on the same team, I think we could have played a pretty good game today. This is our first scrimmage, so we'll look at the tape, learn from it, and get back to work."

The Panthers are building toward their Nov. 3 exhibition versus Shorter at the Georgia State Sports Arena (7 p.m.). Georgia State opens the regular season Nov. 12 at NC State.

Season tickets for 2009-10 Georgia State basketball are one sale now, priced at $120 for lower reserved seats and $105 for mezzanine level general admission seating. Click here to purchase on-line or call 1.866.GA.STATE.

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