GEORGIA STATE-NORTHEASTERN SERIES HISTORY
The teams split last year with GSU winning in Atlanta, 81-74, but Northeastern prevailing in Boston, 76-51. The previous year in 2010-11, the teams split, but in reverse with GSU winning in Boston and Northeastern winning in Atlanta.
NU holds a 12-5 all-time series lead, but is 3-4 in Atlanta.
A QUICK LOOK AT NORTHEASTERN
Located in a central city Boston, the Huskies are under coach Daynia La-Force for a seventh season. She was a former player at Georgetown on a Big East championship team that advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
NU has three seniors and a junior who play major roles to give the Huskies an experienced line-up. Deanna Kerkhof, one of two Canadians in the starting line-up, leads the CAA with 46-of-102 treys. Four Huskies average in double figures as they blend size (6-4 and 6-3) with outside shooting (four with 10 or more treys). NU beat George Mason and William & Mary, then lost to James Madison and Delaware.
DEFENSE HAS BEEN KEY TO GEORGIA STATE WINS
Georgia State s 9-5 start is primarily a credit to the defensive efforts.
This season is only the seventh time of the Panthers’ 38-season history that they
had started by winning 8 of its first 10 games.
GSU’s defense has held eight of the 14 opponents under 50 points this season
and allow just 57.1 points a game despite forcing an up-tempo, fast-paced game.
If one wants to know primarily why GSU is winning, just look at the national
NCAA weekly rankings of the 345 Division I teams on Monday, Jan. 14 and one will
see the impact the Panthers’ aggressiveness is having:
• No. 3 in the NCAA in 3-point field goal defense (.237)
• No. 19 in the NCAA in all field goal defense (.338)
• No. 43 in the NCAA in blocked shots per game (4.8)
• No. 44 in the NCAA in rebound margin (+6.4)
• No. 68 in the NCAA in steals per game (10.7)
• No. 78 in the NCAA in points allowed (57.1)
BALANCE HAS BEEN AN ASSET
Georgia State has used all 10 players who dress out on a regular basis throughout the season.
• All 10 have played 176 or more minutes (176 low-to-422 high) and all averaged more than 12.6 minutes a game (12.6-to-30.1).
• All 10 have scored at least 9 or more points in a game.
• Eight of the 10 have scored in double figures, four different ones have scored 15 or more points in a game.
• Four different players already have had a double-figure rebound game.
• Eight of the 10 are averaging 4.4 or more points a game. All 10 have scored 43 or more on the season.
• Nine of the 10 have 5 or more assists; All 10 have already blocked a shot.
Courtesy: Georgia State Sports Communications
